The head of the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB), Reiner Hoffmann, has called on the country’s governing coalition to invest significantly more in public infrastructure than previously planned. "If the federal government wants to maintain the future viability of the Federal Republic, it must finally become more courageous," Hoffmann told dpa in Berlin.
The government, made up of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), had agreed in principle on an investment package in a coalition meeting on Sunday. Federal investments are to be increased by 3.1 billion euros a year between 2021 and 2024.
Hoffmann said that this was far too cautious, given the enormous investment backlog and the current challenges that Germany faces. "Instead of first examining the cash situation for financial leeway, the coalition should look at the problems and tackle them courageously," the DGB leader said. This also includes "finally being able to finance investments through loans again and reforming the debt brake accordingly."
The "National Investment Alliance" of the federal, state and local governments announced by the coalition on Monday morning must now come together quickly and honestly decide upon the investment needs, the top German trade unionist demanded. "The Federal Government would also do well to involve the social partners in such an alliance and not ignore their relevant experience.”
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