Coalition agreement: between hope and disillusionment

From a business perspective, the new coalition agreement brings with it some positive approaches, but also clear points of criticism. The planned reduction in bureaucracy is welcomed - in particular through the abolition of the German Supply Chain Act in favor of a simplified implementation of the EU directive. The goal of reducing bureaucratic costs by 25 percent is also met with approval.

The announced accelerated depreciation of equipment investments is also an important signal for industrial SMEs. "The corporate tax relief urgently demanded by industry, on the other hand, is only to take place in small steps from 2028. This is late and too slow, especially in light of the economic crisis in Germany," commented VDMA Managing Director Thilo Brodtmann.

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) also speaks of approaches for urgently needed, decisive structural reforms. Rapid implementation is now crucial. "With the swift conclusion of the negotiations, the CDU/CSU and SPD have done justice to the seriousness of the situation and the expectations of the economy," says Managing Director Tanja Gönner. The coalition agreement sends out important signals for investment and growth. However, the tax relief for companies is coming much later than necessary.

"The start has been made"

DIHK President Peter Adrian expressed a similar view: "A start has been made, more courage must follow." According to him, the parties have agreed many of the right measures, but have not consistently made strengthening the economy the benchmark. The introduction of the corporate tax reform only from 2028 is too late: "Overall, the present package alone is not enough to create a real turnaround."

In view of the rapid agreement, employer president Rainer Dulger emphasizes that "Germany is back on track". This speed is also necessary in government action. "Germany must become faster, better and more competitive." Work on the economic turnaround cannot be delayed. "We need to renovate our location at speed," Dulger demands.

Wolfgang Weber, Chairman of the ZVEI Management Board, is positive about the fact that the coalition parties want to provide impetus for more electrification and digitalization. Both are crucial to securing Germany's competitiveness, achieving climate protection in a business-friendly way and strengthening our future viability. It is also very good that Germany should become an AI nation and that industrial AI should be developed in a practical way. "We must not slow down any technology that makes our industry and our SMEs digital and fit for the future," said Weber. But it is also clear: "If you want investment, you have to give companies room to breathe. The abolition of the Supply Chain Act has sent an important signal here. The reduction of bureaucracy must be vigorously pursued."

"Many important industry demands have been addressed"

Plastics Europe Deutschland welcomes the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. "This agreement is a commitment to Germany as a business location and, in times of historic challenges, a good starting point for cooperation with the new federal government," emphasizes Dr. Christine Bunte. She particularly emphasizes: "The clear commitment to simplified approval procedures and a 1:1 implementation of European laws is a major step forward for the competitiveness of our country."

According to the association, the parties are also sending out important signals for a competitive circular economy, for example through binding market incentives for recyclates. For example, chemical recycling is supported, a revision of Section 21 of the Packaging Act is being sought and the EU Packaging Regulation should be implemented in a practicable manner. Plastics Europe Germany still sees room for improvement in the area of research funding. The transfer of research to application is also highly relevant for competitiveness in the chemical industry. New recycling technologies need to be brought to market faster and scaled up quickly. However, the coalition budget does not provide for corresponding funding programs, for example for pilot plants and demonstration projects.

Dr. Christine Bunte summarizes: "In order to secure our industrial location, we need planning security as well as comprehensive and decisive reforms. The results of the coalition negotiations are an important first step in this direction. Once again, what counts now is implementation!"

Germany is back

From the perspective of the German Chemical Industry Association, the coalition partners have made a good start. Wolfgang Große Entrup, Managing Director of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), comments: "144 pages of text, but the most important news fits into one sentence: Germany is back. Nothing is more important these days than a government capable of acting. To get our country back on track and Europe back on the world stage as a player to be taken seriously. Chapeau for the speed. Now it's about turning good intentions into concrete results - for more competitiveness, for a strong Europe, for economic renewal."

Economics: Unfortunately no growth program

The President of the German Institute for Economic Research, Marcel Fratzscher, on the other hand, complains that the three parties' paper lacks ambition. "The coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD is a compromise that largely maintains the status quo and does not adequately address key issues for the future."

According to economics expert Monika Schnitzer, the announced economic turnaround is also much more modest than originally presented in the election manifestos. "Unfortunately, this is not a growth program," Schnitzer told Funke Mediengruppe. However, this is hardly surprising, as the coalition parties demanded tax increases on the one hand and tax cuts on the other. (with dpa)