Pressure is mounting within the ranks of the conservative CDU/CSU alliance on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to accelerate concrete action aimed at bolstering the German economy. The call for a more assertive leadership style originates from Ralph Brinkhaus, a veteran and former leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, who argues the time for analysis and theoretical proposals has passed.
Speaking to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Brinkhaus stated that while thorough assessments of the nation’s challenges and modernization strategies exist, the critical focus now must shift to implementation – a process he explicitly frames as a test of Merz’s leadership. Brinkhaus’s intervention highlights a growing unease within the conservative bloc regarding the perceived lack of tangible progress in addressing economic headwinds.
Brinkhaus advocates for a streamlined, digital state as the most impactful and cost-effective means of stimulating economic growth. He emphasized the urgent need for Merz and state premiers to elevate state modernization to a top-tier priority. His specific demands include a demonstrable reduction in bureaucratic reporting requirements, a significant acceleration of permitting processes and the introduction of regulations enabling company formation within a 24-hour timeframe.
As rapporteur for Digital Affairs and State Modernization within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Brinkhaus’s critique carries considerable weight, reflecting a factional debate about the best course of action for Germany’s economic future. The demands underscore a potential internal rift between those pushing for aggressive modernization and those advocating for a more cautious approach, raising questions about the coalition’s ability to deliver meaningful change and respond to evolving economic pressures. The lack of swift action, as Brinkhaus implies, risks further eroding investor confidence and hindering Germany’s competitiveness on the global stage.
