17.06.2026 – "For a strong economic future, Germany needs bold entrepreneurs as well as a more attractive and agile economic policy environment. Therefore, swift and substantial reforms are now crucial. So far, too little progress has been made. To support this process, science and business can provide significant impetus, particularly during this phase.

Currently, a historic window of opportunity is opening that must be seized. Last week, coalition members, businesses, and trade unions convened for reform discussions. At the beginning of July, the coalition committee will meet to discuss the major reform package. Two weeks later, the relief cabinet will tackle bureaucracy reduction.

All stakeholders must be aware: Without the right locational conditions, there will be no new businesses, no innovations, no investments - and, most importantly, no growth. Germany's economic strength is the foundation of governmental capability and social cohesion. Only a growing economy ensures long-term financial stability, prevents distribution conflicts, and maintains political room for manoeuvre. This concerns education, the welfare state, our defence, infrastructure, the healthcare system, and also foreign policy. Therefore, concrete relief is now needed in areas such as energy costs, bureaucracy, labour costs, and much more.

The hopes of businesses have been overstretched, and expectations of policymakers are very high. We urgently need bold reforms. Close cooperation between politics, business, and science is crucial for this."

© DIHK / Nadine Stenzel