Commenting on the conclusion of the coalition negotiations and the presentation of the joint coalition agreement between the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP on Wednesday, the President of the Employers' Association, Dr. Rainer Dulger, said:

Berlin, 24 November 2021: "There is magic in every beginning - even if many things are pointing in the right direction, the employers would have liked the magic of the traffic light to be a little greater at some points. A structural change coalition is needed for the next few years. Digitisation, decarbonisation and demographic change require answers and a major effort. Unfortunately, this is not always apparent in the coalition agreement.

The traffic light has correctly recognised that in the current situation new regulations such as the further regulation of temporary employment, the restriction of temporary work and an extension of the declaration of general applicability of collective agreements (AVE) must not be created. Right also: no tax increases and an adherence to the debt brake - here the handwriting of the FDP is clearly to be read. Unfortunately, however, the CDU/CSU lacked the courage to go beyond the status quo and create new freedoms for companies and employees and to strengthen individual responsibility. The timid move to make working hours more flexible is one example of this.

The question of the necessary structural reforms in social security is once again being postponed for four years and remains a blank. For those who want to preserve the social security system must also reform it. Only the share pension and the return to the catch-up factor in pensions show any awareness of the problem. Moreover, the de facto two-year basic income for all is a departure from a labour market policy that has so far successfully focused on promoting and demanding.

It is good for our country and our businesses that we have not been left with a stalemate as a result of the rapid conclusion of the coalition negotiations. This provides the necessary planning capability for our companies and Germany remains capable of acting in the face of major international challenges."