The Minister President of Thuringia, Mario Voigt (CDU), has urged the federal and state governments to take immediate action in light of Germany’s unemployment figure exceeding three million people. Speaking to “Bild” in its Monday edition, he said that the high number of unemployed is not a sign of weakness but a clear mandate to set the right course for growth, investment, and employment. “It must be the top priority across all policy areas” he added.
Voigt warned that the necessary changes in the country should not self‑impede. “We need a jolt that eases investment, makes work more attractive, and secures competitiveness”. The planned corporate tax cut should be accelerated and complemented by further relief measures. At the same time, the burden on workers from taxes and charges must be addressed. “Economy is both the enterprises and the employees” he emphasized.
He called for a reduction in the income tax-if financially viable-and for a noticeable simplification of the tax code, with fewer exceptions, less paperwork, and greater planning certainty. Additionally, Voigt demanded that the electricity tax be lowered to the European minimum level as quickly as possible. In eastern German states, he suggested suspending unnecessary federal regulations for a limited time to specifically boost growth and innovation.
Voigt also proposed that approval times in pilot regions be cut in half within two years, creating a reform model that could then be rolled out nationwide.
