The political debate is richer by one term. In the general debate in the Bundestag, the Federal Chancellor proposes a “Germany Pact”. It is about accelerating the modernization of the country.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has proposed a “Germany Pact” to the federal states, local authorities and the democratic opposition to modernize the country. All government agencies should show more speed and courage to make the country faster, more modern and safer from the ground up, according to a position paper on Wednesday’s general debate in the Bundestag.
“We have to clear the bureaucracy,” said Scholz shortly afterwards at the general debate in the Bundestag. In order to greatly accelerate the approval process, the federal and state governments are to develop a comprehensive package of measures and launch them this year. This included accelerating general procedural law, digitizing planning and approval procedures and simplifying housing construction. Large-capacity and heavy-duty transports as well as important road and rail projects are also to be simplified.
These are the measures:
- Less effort for approvals: So far, there have also been problems with the energy transition due to the fact that in Germany for new projects – for example the construction of wind turbines – a large number of permits have to be obtained from different authorities. Now, for example, general procedural law is to be accelerated, building permits for more living space are to be granted more easily and masts for fast mobile Internet are to be erected without any problems.
- Burden less on companies: For example, investment aid should be offered so that companies are relieved of the burden they are faced with in the transition to more sustainability. They should get better conditions for depreciation so that they have to pay less tax. Future-oriented research and development by companies should also be subsidized by the state. The settlement of high-tech production – such as computer chips – and start-up companies should be made easier.
- Modern administration: The services of authorities and offices are to be further digitized – by the end of 2024, important services such as applications for a new driver’s license or identity card or parental and citizen’s allowance should be possible “continuously” online.
- Recruit more skilled workers from abroad: The new law for easier immigration of skilled workers is now to be further accelerated in that the procedures for this are digital and do not fail due to bureaucracy. At the same time, “irregular” immigration should be better controlled and deportations should be carried out more quickly.
Digitization is an essential part of the “Germany Pact”.
The Online Access Act will promote nationwide digitization. 15 services that are particularly important for citizens and companies should be available digitally by the end of 2024. This includes re-registering your place of residence, digitally applying for housing benefit, driver’s license, ID card, parental benefit and citizen’s benefit. It should also be possible to register a company and found a craft online.
The “Germany Pact” with the Growth Opportunities Act, which has a volume of more than 32 billion euros, is providing new impetus, the paper continues. With the climate and transformation fund, the federal government will ensure investments in climate-neutral production and the supply of Germany and Europe with strategically important technologies and raw materials.
In addition, it must become easier to found start-ups and make them successful. In addition, the Future Financing Act will improve the framework conditions for start-ups and growth companies.
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“Germany Pact” was once a right-wing alliance
The term “Germany Pact” is not unencumbered. Almost 20 years ago, right-wing extremist parties in Germany made common cause under the slogan. In 2005, the parties NPD and DVU agreed that they would not contest elections in the federal states at the same time and would support each other instead. Candidates from one party could appear on the other party’s list of candidates. This was intended to bundle voters from the right edge.
Such an agreement had already existed informally: for example, only the NPD stood in the state elections in Saxony in 2004 and entered the state parliament with their best result of 9.2 percent. In Brandenburg, the DVU was able to re-enter parliament in 2004 with 6.1 percent. The parties also split up in local elections.
In June 2009, the NPD canceled the “Germany Pact” with the DVU and announced that it wanted to stand in the then forthcoming state elections in Brandenburg itself. The background to the decision at the time were serious quarrels between the two parties in the federal state. The Republicans, who are also right-wing extremists, did not want to do anything in common with the NPD and stayed away from the “Germany Pact”.
Scholz also hands out against the AfD – “demolition command”
The AfD, which is currently ahead of the SPD in polls, accused Chancellor Scholz of “willful destruction of prosperity”. “The vast majority of citizens know that the self-proclaimed alternative is actually a demolition command,” said Scholz in the general debate on the budget in the Bundestag. “A demolition squad for our country.”
The AfD wants the European Union to be dismantled, even though prosperity in Germany is very closely linked to the EU. On the other hand, his claim as Chancellor was to provide orientation and to make “courageous compromises” and “hands-on work for our country,” said Scholz. “This is how we counteract those who want to make political profit from relegation scenarios and scaremongering.” This is also his claim on the governing parties, “who have argued too much in the past few months,” said Scholz, referring to the sometimes violent clashes in the traffic light coalition.
This message has been updated several times
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
