The recent decisions approved by the German federal government’s relief cabinet have received a cautiously positive reception from Wolfgang Steiger, General Secretary of the “Economic Council of the CDU” a lobby and professional association closely aligned with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). While praising the measures as a step in the right direction, Steiger emphasized the critical importance of rapid and demonstrable implementation, warning that promises alone are insufficient.
Speaking to the “Rhinische Post” Steiger stated that the true measure of success will be whether businesses genuinely experience tangible relief and whether these alleviations are verifiable. He cautioned against the risk of the government’s efforts becoming merely symbolic gestures, arguing that a failure to deliver would severely undermine the credibility of the broader policy agenda.
Steiger further acknowledged that the modernization agenda spearheaded by Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) sets a more ambitious trajectory than the cabinet’s current resolutions. He described the approved measures as initiating a long-overdue process of bureaucratic reduction, potentially restoring faith in the government’s stated commitment to reform. However, he stressed that without such visible and appreciable improvements in the everyday administrative burdens faced by firms, Germany risks a concerning decline in domestic investment and entrepreneurship.
The underlying concern voiced by Steiger highlights a growing political pressure on Chancellor Merz and Minister Wildberger to translate ambitious policy outlines into concrete, practical benefits for businesses. Failure to do so, he implied, could trigger a significant exodus of investment and innovation, imperiling Germany’s economic future and potentially fueling a backlash against the ruling CDU’s reform efforts. The speed and effectiveness of the implementation will be a key indicator of the new leadership’s ability to rebuild trust and foster a climate conducive to sustained economic growth.
