News about Friedrich Merz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed his administrative and social security reform agenda, including cutting bureaucracy and digitizing public administration, at a Berlin investor reception on Oct. 19. The government is pairing its appeal to investors with the €500 billion Special Fund for Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality and about €30 billion in public money through the Germany Fund, which aims to stimulate over €130 billion in investment. Made for Germany estimates €2.9–4.1 trillion in capital needs across five growth areas through 2035, blaming prolonged underinvestment and high energy and labor costs, corporate taxes and regulation. However, a ZDF poll published Oct. 8 found 59% of respondents thought reforms were heading in the wrong direction, and 80% said the burdens were distributed unfairly. The investor summit on Oct. 20 is expected to bring together about 200 executives and investors.