After the election: Business associations urge faster government formation

Leading business associations have warned against the long formation of a government after the federal election.

All parties have to show responsibility, tackle priorities and forego "tactical maneuvers", said the President of the BDI industrial association, Siegfried Russwurm, on Monday.

In order to cope with challenges such as climate protection, digital change or geopolitical crises, you need administrative reform, faster planning and approval processes and a growth program.

Crafts President Hans Peter Wollseifer said the only clear election result was that there were many coalition options. "Unfortunately, this raises concerns that it may take weeks before coalition negotiations lead to a result." That is exactly what must be avoided if the economic recovery is not to be slowed down. "In these uncertain times, a stuck game and a similarly long negotiation phase as in 2017 is the last thing our operations and companies need." but digitization cannot be delayed. "

The Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises called for prospects for investments. "In view of the poor economic data, Germany as a business location cannot once again tolerate coalition negotiations at slow pace," said Federal Managing Director Markus Jerger.

The SPD won the general election on Sunday and is relying on a rapid understanding with the Greens and the FDP on a new government alliance under the leadership of its Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz. However, the Union in second place is also preparing for talks with these two parties, according to circles, there should have been an initial exchange between CDU top candidate Armin Laschet and FDP party leader Christian Lindner on election Sunday. After the 2017 election, such a three-way alliance failed after weeks of talks. It then took months for the Union and the SPD to agree on a new version of their coalition. Angela Merkel was finally confirmed as Chancellor by the Bundestag almost six months after the election.

The head of the Federal Association of Energy and Water Management, Kerstin Andreae, demanded that there should not be a month-long hang-out. “We need a coalition for climate protection and the energy transition as soon as possible.” Employer President Rainer Dulger said that Germany must become faster in order to be able to cope with the challenges. "We must not make friends with relegation."

The banking association BdB also called for reforms to be boldly tackled. "The sooner the new coalition is able to work, the better," said association president Christian Sewing. Digitization and climate change can only be financed with strong banks and efficient capital markets. The insurance association GDV named as reform topics among other things climate change, digitization, federalism and a modernization of the administration. "The political center is more fragmented than before, but an emerging three-party coalition may still be able to act," said General Manager Jörg Asmussen.

The president of the real estate association ZIA, Andreas Mattner, said Germany needs clarity. “The stalemate is burdening the economy as a whole and means waiting instead of action. As a real estate industry, we need quick decisions on how we can build more housing and revitalize inner cities. ”The retail association HDE also insisted on strengthening inner cities and relieving the burden on companies.

There were also demands from economists to make decisions quickly.

The Federal Republic has never been so divided, said the President of the German Institute for Economic Research, Marcel Fratzscher.

"We now need speed and courage in forming a government." The new government must quickly decide on climate protection, digitization and "social renewal".

"If you fail to do this, Germany's economic prosperity will be at stake and Europe will run the risk of falling behind in the systems competition with China and the USA."

Although it is unclear which coalition will govern Germany, the stock market reacted with gains.

The leading index Dax gained 0.6 percent at noon.

Investors reacted with relief that the shift to the left they feared did not materialize.