Overcoming the Consequences of the Crisis
The Federal Government wants to swiftly create the preconditions for new and stronger growth. Massive spending cuts are not planned in spite of the large government debt. In economic policy, offering fixed-term employment contracts is to become easier and short-time working allowances are to be extended. So far, jobs have been secured primarily through the instrument of short-time working.
Improving Relations between Citizens and Government
The Federal Government aims to reduce bureaucracy and introduce far-reaching reforms of the tax system. The goal is a simplified tax system. Merkel holds out the prospect of an income tax cut in 2011.
Answering Demographic Change
Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel listed the challenge of an aging society as the third point on her reform agenda. The focus of attention here will be changes in the social and retirement pension system.
Ideas for Climate Protection
When it comes to environmental policy and the question of climate protection, the Federal Government is putting its trust in a mix of renewable and conventional energy sources. Nuclear energy is to remain one pillar of the energy supply for a transitional period. When it comes to international climate protection, Merkel called for a global regulatory framework for dealing with natural resources and emphasized that failure at the climate conference in Copenhagen would set climate protection efforts back a number of years.
New Balance between Liberty and Security
In view of the global dangers the Federal Government wants to further strengthen the relationship between liberty and security. A development of the security architecture should also include Germany’s military contribution to international security. The Bundeswehr mission in Afghanistan must, said the Federal Chancellor, enter “a new phase”. The goal was to define a “responsible handover strategy”.
