The director of the German Economy Institute (IW Cologne) considers the Agenda-2030 paper presented by the Union to be incomplete.
Ideas for reforms of social security systems were missing, said Michael Hüther to the Funke Media Group newspapers. “Here, unpopular solution approaches are needed, which all parties have been hesitant to take so far” he explained.
Moreover, it is unclear whether the ambitious goal of 2% economic growth can be achieved by the end of the decade. “Such estimates depend on many other factors, such as the development of the world economy. Without an improvement of the framework conditions, it will not work” said Hüther.
In general, the paper contains “good ideas” according to Hüther. As examples, he named faster approval procedures and simplifications for foreign skilled workers. “The financing, in the face of the budget situation, is anything but easy – at least the measures will be implemented step by step, which eases the implementation” the economist added.