Christoph Ahlhaus, the head of the Federal Association for Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW), has strongly criticized the outcomes of the recent meeting between coalition leadership, employer associations, and trade unions as falling short. Ahlhaus told RTL/ntv, “Other than acknowledging that reforms are necessary and that we generally maintain a positive attitude, there is no news.” He warned that “time is running out for everyone. Not just for medium-sized businesses, but for everyone.”
He argued that simply confirming the need for action is insufficient, given the current economic difficulties facing numerous companies. “We are experiencing the largest wave of bankruptcies in the medium-sized sector and in the German economy in over 20 years,” Ahlhaus stated. He found it “a bit little” that the conclusion drawn is merely “that something must be done,” especially after “over a year of a government that promised an economic turnaround.”
Despite his critique of the results, the association chief welcomed the willingness of all parties to talk. He acknowledged that the participants met to demonstrate a genuine intent to implement changes. However, he placed the burden of delivery squarely on the federal government. “Now they must deliver,” he asserted. He stressed that the focus must shift from discussions to decisive action. “This is about days, not weeks or months.” Ahlhaus demanded that “results are needed in two weeks at the latest,” specifying that what is required is a “comprehensive reform package.”
