The coalition leaders are reorienting themselves after the first meeting of the year: the economy and growth should strengthen Germany and Europe internationally.
dpa/rtr | The black-red coalition wants to continue working on better conditions for the German economy and more growth, even in the face of international tensions. After deliberations by the coalition committee, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) highlighted the goal of economic strength for Germany and Europe. This involves improving competitiveness, productivity and innovation. We recently learned that major powers act without consideration, said Merz, without naming states.
Resilience is also a European task, said Merz. Specifically, the digital euro is a project that serves to strengthen the sovereignty of the EU.
After the coalition committee on Wednesday evening, Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil called for a more self-confident Europe. “I want Europe to become so strong that we don’t have to make ourselves small in front of any other country,” said the SPD chairman and Federal Finance Minister in Berlin. Germany has a special leadership responsibility in this regard. The aim is to work on one’s own sovereignty and strength in order to survive in global competition.
Economy, economy, economy
Klingbeil cited the economic strengthening of the community as the central lever for greater independence. An integrated European capital market could be a “real game changer” to promote investments in Germany and Europe. This was also the topic of a meeting with five European counterparts.
In addition, the currency itself needs to be strengthened: “The digital euro is an important point for this,” explained Klingbeil. In addition to financial policy, he called for progress in securing supply chains and access to critical raw materials by 2026. At the European level, it is about both competitiveness and defense capability.
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