The Federation of German Mittelstand Associations (BVMW) casts serious doubt on the effectiveness of the planned reform meeting scheduled for next week in the Chancellery, which aims to bring together unions and employers. Christoph Ahlhaus, the BVMW CEO, told RTL and ntv that while he wishes the discussions great success, he noted that achieving a consensus is highly improbable under current conditions. He specifically questioned the chances of reaching an agreement that all parties can support, stressing that this requires fundamental shifts, such as prior consultation rounds-a social partner meeting-and not just immediate negotiations. Ahlhaus points out that there is significantly less collective bargaining coverage now compared to previous years, and critically, the medium-sized enterprises are being overlooked.
Ahlhaus emphasized the sheer importance of these companies, stating that over 90 percent of businesses in Germany are small and medium-sized. “If you ignore them, the mood deteriorates-and everyone knows that the economy has a psychological component” he added. Beyond the current political consultations, Ahlhaus also addressed the pension issue, asserting that the 63-year-old retirement age must definitely be brought to the table. However, he argued that a coherent overall concept that ensures fair balance is far more necessary than simply discussing a multitude of isolated proposals. He concluded by placing the onus on the Chancellor, warning that if the meeting fails to yield results, the Chancellor will need to assert his constitutional authority, adding: “The time for mere coffee meetings in the Chancellery is definitely over”.
