A senior figure within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is advocating for the current coalition government to draw inspiration from the reformist policies of former Social Democratic Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Carsten Linnemann, Secretary General of the CDU and responsible for labor and social policy within the parliamentary group, highlighted the opportunity for significant changes in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
Linnemann emphasized the need for decisive action, noting that historical precedent often compels reform only when a nation faces substantial economic pressure. He likened the current situation to a period approximately twenty years ago, when Germany experienced unemployment levels exceeding five million.
Referencing the “Agenda 2010” reforms implemented during Schröder’s tenure, Linnemann lauded the former Chancellor’s “Fördern und Fordern” (Promote and Demand) initiative as a bold structural labor market reform. He argued that a similar degree of courage is necessary to address the challenges facing the German economy today.
The CDU Secretary General reiterated his call for a period of “genuine structural reforms” in the realms of labor market and social policy during the upcoming autumn months.
