Economic revolution required: Merz and Brossardt secure Europe's future!

Economic revolution required: Merz and Brossardt secure Europe's future!

At a recent meeting in Berlin, the vbw (Association of the Bavarian Economy) identified the most serious challenges for the European economy. The focus was on the ongoing economic and structural crisis, the US customs policy and the unresolved conflict in Ukraine. webecho-bamberg.de reports that the managing director of the vbw, Bertram Brossardt, has called for a clear change of course in economic policy in order to sustainably strengthen Europe.

Brossardt continued to speak positively about Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government declaration and the current coalition agreement. This proposes essential measures that could help stabilize the economy. These include, among others:

• Degressive Sonderabschreibung für Ausrüstungsinvestitionen
• Absenkung der Stromsteuer und der Netzentgelte
• Einführung eines Brückenstrompreises
• Bürokratieabbau mit dem Ziel, Bürokratiekosten um 25 Prozent bis 2025 zu reduzieren

Making the world of work more flexible

Another central topic at vbw is making working hours more flexible. Brossardt calls for the introduction of a weekly instead of a daily maximum working time and an increase in working hours in order to secure the future viability of companies. In addition, the vbw sees a need for reform in the social security system; the rapid establishment of reform commissions is required in order to avoid increasing social security contributions.

The vbw's discussion partners in Berlin included, among others, Dr. Reinhard Brandl, Hansjörg Durz and Dr. Andreas Lenz from the CSU and Dr. Carolin Wagner and Sebastian Roloff from the SPD. Representatives of the Greens were also present, including Rebecca Lenhard and Johannes Wagner.

Impact of US tariff policy

In addition to the topics discussed in Berlin, there is an urgent need to improve the economic conditions not only in Germany, but also in Europe as a whole. Experts warn that the US economy could contract in 2025, particularly due to Donald Trump's tariff policies. Loud ZDF Analysts expect a 60 percent probability of an impending recession in the USA.

Trump's goal of strengthening US industry and bringing production into the country faces enormous challenges. Criticism of his economic policies is growing both in the USA and internationally. Poor countries like Lesotho, whose textile industry is suffering from high tariffs, are particularly badly hit. In the Republican strongholds, there are increasing doubts about Trump's economic strategies, which are also putting a strain on US farmers. This creates the prospect of advantages for Europe in the international context, especially if the EU manages to effectively communicate the stability and rule-orientation of its economic framework.

In this context, the EU Commission is actively trying to attract US researchers and companies. The Financial Times even advises Americans to move to Europe because the economic conditions there appear more attractive compared to Trump's chaotic policies.