The traffic light coalition wants to boost Germany’s sluggish economy with a ten-point plan. “In view of the fact that our economy can cope with even more growth, we want to do everything we can to stimulate growth,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Tuesday at the start of the cabinet meeting in Meseberg, Brandenburg. Germany is an economically strong country that has to cope with challenges such as inflation and declining exports. It is now about motivating companies to make investment decisions. At the center of the plan is Finance Minister Christian Lindner’s (FDP) Growth Opportunities Act, which was blocked by Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) on Monday night until agreement was reached on the scope of basic child security.
“We take it seriously that Germany is growing less dynamically than others,” said Lindner. At the same time, however, one knows about Germany’s potential. The Growth Opportunities Act is not a wide-ranging economic stimulus package. This is not necessary and “even wrong”. Rather, it is about providing impetus so that “opportunities that undoubtedly exist can be used.” The law provides for investment premiums and improved depreciation options. According to Lindner, the measures are intended to provide tax relief for small and medium-sized companies of around seven billion euros per year. In the original draft it was only 5.7 billion euros. The delay by Family Minister Paus made improvements possible.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) also spoke of a “challenging” economic situation. “Now the signals must be sent that it is worth investing in this country,” he said. He referred to climate policy impulses from the climate and transformation fund, which is to provide 211 billion over the next few years. The approval speed must be increased, government action must be “less complex”. Scholz also emphasized the reduction in bureaucracy. “Reducing bureaucracy is often talked about, but what is then often suggested is not always effective and that should change,” he said. The ten-point plan, some of which are already known, also contains, among other things, a “future financing law” that is intended to promote start-ups. A new “data strategy” is intended to drive digitization forward.
At the beginning of the exam, Scholz also called for an end to the public disputes in the traffic light coalition. “We have had a very successful track record over the last year and this year and it would of course be good if everyone could contribute with their communication strategies,” he said. He has the “feeling that this exam is helping to make it happen”. A similar appeal by the Chancellor had died down before the end of the summer break.