The German industry body and its chief executive, Tanja Gönner, have urged the governing Union and SPD parties to remain committed to the proposed reforms in pension, health, and care. Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, Gönner stated that these reforms are essential for Germany to return to a path of sustainable growth. “It would be a bitter failure if these reforms were stopped or watered down,” she said.
Gönner noted that while individuals are aware of their own financial burdens, they often fail to see how these changes prevent significant future strain on all citizens. She emphasized the urgency of the healthcare and care reforms, describing them as necessary actions to avoid massive jumps in contributions. If the government deviates from this path, Gönner warns of a vicious cycle developing: “Rising costs in pension, care, and healthcare weaken our competitiveness. If unemployment increases, the welfare state becomes even more expensive. Therefore, growth policy is not just important for entrepreneurs, but for everyone.”
Furthermore, Gönner expressed apprehension regarding the current economic state, even as growth forecasts have been adjusted upward. She believes the economy has not reached its stable low point. She highlighted a worrying trend: numerous medium-sized businesses are simply ceasing operations rather than filing for insolvency. “They go straight into liquidation. We haven’t seen this before,” Gönner explained. “And that is truly concerning because it means industrial substance is lost, forever.”
