Five major industry leaders have sent an open letter to the leaders of Germany’s major political parties, urging them to prioritize the needs of rural areas in the next legislative period. The letter, signed by the presidents of the German Employers’ Association, the Central Association of the German Crafts, the Federation of Free Professions, the German Landwives’ Association, and the German Raiffeisen Association, expresses concern that the previous legislative periods have focused too much on the social and societal needs of urban populations.
The signatories argue that the rural population, including entrepreneurs and their employees, have been neglected and require better framework conditions for self-employment and entrepreneurial activities. They also stress the need for a comprehensive and adequate supply of digital, transportation, and energy infrastructure, as well as housing, healthcare, and mobility services, education, and cultural and social institutions in rural areas.
The letter, which was sent to the leaders of the SPD, CDU, and other major parties, including Lars Klingbeil and Friedrich Merz, requests that the politicians take the concerns of rural areas into account in their party policies and legislative work. The signatories hope that the next legislative period will see a more balanced approach, with all economic and social stakeholders being taken into account.