German economy calls for "sharp adjustment" from Brussels.
The European election has made it evident that the time for climate protection and regulations has come to an end. This sentiment is shared by German business associations, who are urging a shift towards pragmatism and competitiveness.
In the aftermath of the European election, the German business community is pressing for policy changes in Brussels. Tanja Gönner, the managing director of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), emphasized the need for a "growth plan" with "competitiveness in industry" as a top priority for the next legislative period.
There should be a better balance between ecology and competitiveness in the European Parliament. Key economic policy issues should take center stage, such as the completion of the European Single Market, the signing of free trade deals, and a reduction in bureaucracy.
Markus Steilemann, president of the Association of the Chemical Industry, has a similar outlook. He believes that "pragmatism and speed" are long overdue in the European Union, with "bureaucracy" being kept outside the door. He demands a "clear course correction" to help the economy thrive in international competition and drive the green transition forward. The focus should be on affordable energy, accessible markets, smart regulations, and innovation.
Dirk Jandura, president of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade, Services (BGA), sees the election results as a call for less bureaucracy. He views this as both a warning to bureaucrats and a signal for an economic reform agenda in Europe.
The European Union has been a tremendous success, with milestones like the internal market, freedom of movement, and the euro.
However, the European election has seen a shift to the right, with the European People's Party (EPP) expected to remain the strongest faction in Strasbourg. There has also been a significant increase in the numbers of right-wing populist and right-wing extremist MPs in several EU countries. Tanja Gönner has expressed concern about this development, noting that the number of those seeking to shape and strengthen Europe is rapidly diminishing.
Rainer Dulger, president of the Federation of German Employers' Associations (BDA), views the election results as a sign of a "European policy change" that "must be accompanied by a national economic turnaround." The "Activation Package" of the traffic light government is receiving high expectations in the business sector, and Dulger urges for its fulfillment to avoid disappointment.
The president of the Federation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) implores all democratic parties in the EU Parliament to collaborate closely to sideline the impact of populist parties on the EU's future. Dulger hopes to shape the necessary course change together with the "pro-European forces in the EU Parliament."
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The German employers' association, represented by Rainer Dulger from the Federation of German Employers' Associations (BDA), believes that the EU Parliament in Strasbourg needs to collaborate closely to minimize the impact of populist parties on Europe's future. Dulger sees the European elections as a signal for a "European policy change" that requires a corresponding "national economic turnaround".
In light of the European elections, the EU Commission and the EU Parliament should focus on key economic policy issues such as completing the European Single Market, signing free trade deals, and reducing bureaucracy. This is a view shared by Markus Steilemann, president of the Association of the Chemical Industry, who calls for "pragmatism and speed" in the EU, keeping bureaucracy at bay.
The shift towards the right in the European elections, as seen in the increased numbers of right-wing populist and right-extremist MPs, has raised concerns within the German business community. Tanja Gönner, managing director of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), highlights the decreasing number of individuals seeking to shape and strengthen Europe, advocating for a more balanced approach between ecology and competitiveness in the EU Parliament.
