German business leaders are calling for a fundamental shift in economic policy from the next federal government. “After twelve years of mere coalition agreements at the federal level, we see where this stagnation coalition has brought us”said Dirk Jandura, President of the Association of the German Wholesale and Foreign Trade, to the Welt am Sonntag. He wishes for a new government that consistently sets a supply-oriented economic policy. “We need a course correction, immediately”Jandura said.
The member companies of his association trust this most likely to a coalition of CDU/CSU and FDP. According to a previously unpublished BGA survey, in December, 47 percent of the surveyed members named a coalition of Union and FDP as their preferred coalition after the federal election on February 23. Only 16 percent could imagine a coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD and even fewer, 13 percent, a coalition of CDU/CSU and the Greens. A total of 721 member companies participated in the survey, according to the BGA.
Other associations are also demanding a fundamental change in economic policy. “We expect all parties to move and come out of the reform lethargy”said Holger Schwannecke, General Secretary of the Central Association of the German Crafts (ZDH). It is high time to overcome the change emergency in Germany. Whoever is not willing to spring over their shadow and start bold reforms has not recognized the enormous imperative to act.
“We do not advocate for a wish coalition, but a stable government. We expect action – from black, red, green, or yellow”said Wolfgang Große Entrup, Chief Executive of the Federation of the Chemical Industry. Whoever comes to power must make the “industrial policy restart a top priority.”The Federal Association of the German Food Industry is demanding more reliability above all. “Regardless of which coalition – companies need planning security rather than ideological ping-pong”said Chief Executive Christoph Minhoff. The economy does not function on a whim. Whoever wants to invest must set the framework for the long term.