Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer has called for intensified efforts to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, arguing that a shift towards a more social market economy is crucial for the nation’s vitality. In an interview on ZDF’s morning news program, Kretschmer emphasized the need to move away from extensive state regulation, asserting that it inhibits the country’s overall strength.
The focus, he explained, extends beyond simply reducing paperwork, encompassing a broader restructuring of regulations across multiple sectors. This includes reviewing and streamlining processes related to labor market rules, environmental law and planning and approval procedures. Kretschmer suggested that certain elements within the federal government are struggling to embrace this necessary change.
He proposed a return to regulatory frameworks prevalent in the 1990s, drawing parallels to the rapid dismantling of legacy socialist structures and the subsequent economic upswing experienced during that period. Describing the current situation as akin to “Gulliver tied down by countless ropes” he argued that Germany’s capacity for growth and movement has been severely restricted. Kretschmer expressed confidence that Germany had previously demonstrated the ability to overcome such constraints and advocated for drawing inspiration and strength from the successes of the 1990s to propel the country forward.
