Citing stagnating growth and declining investments, Marie-Christine Ostermann, President of the organization “Die Familienunternehmer” has called upon Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to adopt a more decisive stance against the economic downturn. Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, Ostermann expressed her expectation that the Chancellor must show greater leadership and stand up to his coalition partners. While acknowledging that the Chancellor understands the economy, she questioned the overarching goals of the current government.
Ostermann also advocates for significant structural reforms. She highlighted wage-related labor costs as a critical concern, noting that these costs are currently escalating toward 45 percent and must decrease back towards 40 percent. To achieve this, she suggested implementing measures such as linking the retirement age to life expectancy and abolishing early retirement schemes.
Furthermore, the entrepreneur also demanded relief across several areas. Specifically, she called for reductions in costs related to energy and social security, tighter tax regulations, and a reduction in general bureaucracy. Regarding taxation, Ostermann suggested that the highest tax bracket should only take effect for incomes exceeding €100,000.
