Berlin – Friedrich Merz, leader โof the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has declared a reform of Germany’s “Bรผrgergeld” (citizen benefit) a top priority for his party, framing it as essential to incentivize work and address the country’s economic challenges. Speaking at an economic conference, Merz criticized the current system, which costsโข 50 billion euros annually, stating, “We strive to change this complex systemโฆso that โคwe can notโค only save money, but that โขwe give workers โฃinโ Germany the message: It is worthโ working.”
Merz acknowledgedโ arduous negotiations with โขthe Socialโฃ Democratic Party โ(SPD) regarding the citizen benefit,specifically questioning the SPD’s initial concept. He also referencedโ the “trauma” surrounding the SPD’s previous Hartz โ4 reforms and expressed regret โขthat some continue to incorrectly โคattribute the 2010โ Agenda โคto their current difficulties. A reform agreement between the CDU/CSU โคand SPD is already โคunderway, with SPD Laborโข Minister Bรคrbel Bas signaling a stricter approach to those who refuse work while receiving benefits.
The CDU leaderโค also raised alarm aboutโ the broader German economic situation, stating, “It’s not five to twelve, it is one minute after twelve,” and โemphasizing the need for rapid improvements in competitiveness. He identified Germany’s high costs โฃand โslowโ pace asโค disadvantages compared โto competitors in the USA and Asia. Merz called for tax relief, reduced energy prices, โand less bureaucracy, โwhile urgingโ the coalition government to accelerate โขdecision-making.
Markus Steilemann,President of the Association of Chemical Industry,echoed Merz’s concerns,describing disappointing figures and historically low capacity utilization in the chemical sector,warning the industryโ is onโ the “abyss.” โHe โadvocated for government relief for energy-intensiveโ industries through a planned lower โฃindustrial electricity price.