Saxony’s Minister-President, Michael Kretschmer (CDU), has called for greater efforts to boost Germany’s productivity and competitiveness, arguing that this responsibility extends to employees as well. While acknowledging that not everyone needs to work more hours, Kretschmer stated that the way work is done must become more efficient, particularly since the 35-hour week is no longer suitable within current economic constraints. He stressed that the goal is not to take anything away from workers, but rather highlighted that earning the same salary with a few extra hours worked over the next five years is preferable to losing one’s job. He emphasized that the current prosperity in the country was created by people who were accustomed to working forty hours or more.
Regarding the debate surrounding sick leave periods, Kretschmer noted that the majority of the population is conscientious about declaring illnesses. However, he pointed out a minority who exploit the system of taking “sick days without a doctor’s note.” He suggested that when dealing with these individuals, society should demonstrate less solidarity compared to those who are genuinely ill. He noted that this practice has been conventional in Germany for decades and is still completely common in many other countries.
In the area of long-term care insurance, Kretschmer warned about a significant strain on local municipalities. Citing examples from Eastern Germany, where average pensions range from 1,300 to 1,500 Euros, and a nursing home stay requires a 3,000 Euro co-payment, he stated that these figures illustrate the seriousness of the situation. He insisted that the approach to care insurance must not be a passive reduction of costs but, instead, a fundamental tackling of the core problem. He pointed out that an increasing number of older people are entering social assistance when they require nursing home care, forcing municipalities to fund these costs-a situation he deemed unsustainable. He asserted that any shortfall in funding for care or home placement must be compensated by the federal budget, as this falls under federal social security law. The CDU politician added that a solution must be found by autumn, as everyone recognizes the need to improve the financial viability of local authorities.
Finally, on the issue of climate protection, Kretschmer advocated for less stringent regulations. He argued that achieving 100 percent climate neutrality by 2045 would require many measures that are currently indispensable and would severely curtail personal freedom. He suggested that if the target were lowered to around 80 percent by 2045, it would allow for construction and implementation that is “faster, cheaper, and more effective.”
