BDA AGENDA 21/25 | COMMENTARY OF THE WEEK | October 16, 2025

By Susanne Wißfeld, Managing Director of Business Innovations & Concepts, Randstad Germany, and Chair of the Board of the Market Economy Forum

The courage to implement: How we can revitalize the social market economy

“Revitalize the social market economy, personal responsibility, and entrepreneurial freedom!” is the mission statement of the Market Economy Forum. The new dialogue platform brings together science, politics, and business practice with the aim of not only maintaining the mission statement of the social market economy, but also strengthening it with a view to the future. The topics are highly topical, because entrepreneurship in Germany operates in difficult conditions that require in-depth analysis, but above all decisive action.

The challenges facing companies in this country are complex and growing steadily. The regulatory framework is becoming increasingly complex; instead of reducing bureaucracy, we are seeing an increase in administrative burdens from one legislative period to the next, tying up valuable resources. At the same time, the pool of qualified skilled workers is shrinking as a result of demographic change – a problem whose full extent is still not fully understood. To make matters worse, there is a declining willingness to take on responsibility within many companies. This internal change is compounded by an external development that is particularly worrying: the increasing stigmatization of entrepreneurship in the public eye.

Entrepreneurs are faced with ever-higher expectations and growing pressure. It is legitimate to ask how these growing demands can still be met and, more importantly, how we as a society can redefine our relationship with those who are willing to take risks, create jobs, and drive innovation. Without vibrant, resilient entrepreneurship, prosperity is inconceivable. A societal debate about why we so often point the finger at those who bear responsibility and secure our economic foundation is long overdue.

At its annual event, the Market Economy Forum not only raised these pressing questions, but also provided concrete answers and groundbreaking ideas. A central focus is on the realization that our country lacks not so much in-depth analysis or clever concepts as a determined will to implement them. It is time to become more courageous. Courage to break down outdated structures. Courage to truly reduce bureaucracy. Courage to once again recognize and promote entrepreneurship as a driving force for social progress. And courage to actively and agilely adapt the social market economy to the requirements of the 21st century. The Market Economy Forum promises to contribute to revitalizing our economic model and making Germany fit for the future.