(de-news.net) – Chancellor Scholz (SPD) is planning to continue meetings with industry associations and unions. The first industry summit this week is “the start of a process in which the Federal Government will discuss with the participants in the coming weeks ways of providing further growth impetus”. On November 15, the aim is to ensure, among other things, that “industrial jobs in Germany” be retained and Germany as an economic location is strengthened overall. Scholz wants to initiate “concrete measures” to achieve this. The participants of the first meeting had agreed to keep the outcome of the first meeting confidential.
Almost at the same time as the industry gathering, Federal Finance Minister Lindner (FDP) held a summit with representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, trades, freelance and start-up associations. Lindner had previously criticized that there was too much regulation and bureaucracy. The President of the Federal Association of Freelance Professions, Hofmeister, had echoed the same sentiment.
The President of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations, Dulger, for his part called on the Federal Government to develop a strategy for growth and competitiveness. To this end, the traffic light coalition should also approach the opposition and agree on solutions for the social systems. The representative of the Association of Family Businesses, von Eben-Worlée, criticized the level of taxes and social spending, but praised the exchange on the needs of German small and medium-sized businesses. Dulger called the meeting “very good,” in retrospect. However, the business representatives called for more speed for reforms in all areas of the economy.
“We did not discuss any joint paper today, but we took on board and evaluated suggestions and also presented our own perspectives and received feedback,” explained Lindner about the summit that he had organized. The minister will compare the results of the event, including on measures to combat weak growth, with Scholz and Economics Minister Habeck (Greens). Before the 2025 federal budget is approved, the traffic light coalition must develop a common position, insisted Lindner.
