Economy: Economic crisis: Countries are calling for “strong changes in direction”

Because of the economic downturn, countries are quickly demanding cheaper electricity and cheaper flight fees. The Prime Minister’s Conference (MPK) made corresponding appeals to the Bundestag on Thursday. If possible, he should act before the new elections in February. The states themselves approved an agreement with the federal government to make it easier to recognize foreign professional knowledge and thus attract skilled workers. Important MPK topics at a glance:

Economy: network fees and airport fees

Saxony’s head of government Michael Kretschmer (CDU), currently chairman of the Prime Minister’s Conference, said that Germany must get out of the recession. The states expected a “powerful change of direction”. His Rhineland-Palatinate colleague Alexander Schweitzer added for the SPD states that the “cost dynamics” in network fees urgently need to be weakened.

Decisions could definitely be made before the 2025 federal election, said Schweitzer. “I am also specifically addressing the opposition in the German Bundestag.” This includes, among others, the CDU/CSU. Kretschmer said that the Union bears civic responsibility. However, the CDU politician did not say which specific decisions could be made before the election with votes from the Union.

As Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) announced, the states agreed that the taxes and fees at German airports were too high and a competitive disadvantage. The next federal government must put together a relief package for the German aviation industry. This includes “starting the phase-out of the aviation tax”. The fees for aviation security and air traffic control should be reviewed and “regulatory requirements for climate protection” should be limited to the EU minimum.

Recognize professional qualifications from abroad more easily

In a circular procedure, the states decided on an agreement with the federal government to make it easier to recognize professional knowledge acquired abroad. The decision states that the shortage of skilled workers is clearly noticeable in many industries. “The rapid and transparent recognition of foreign qualifications is essential.” The key words for this are digitize, de-bureaucratize, accelerate.

Unified system for citizen data

Citizens should have an easier time – that’s what the countries expect from the NOOTS (National-Once-Only-Technical System), which is to be regulated and introduced by contract. Different authorities should be able to access data that citizens have already stored – for example, the registry office can access data at the citizens’ office. The aim should be that citizens and companies only have to transmit this data to the administration once – if those affected wish to do so.

Protect young people from inappropriate apps

Parents should have an easier time protecting their underage children from harmful content on the Internet. Specifically, it should be possible to set age limits for apps with a “central setting in the operating system” of the end device, as Schweitzer said. So far it has been very complicated. “We make it easier.” This should be regulated in an amendment to the State Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media.

Financing of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation

The countries also agreed on the future financing of one of the most important German cultural institutions: the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, under whose umbrella world-famous museums and archives in Berlin are organized. According to information from state circles, both the states and the federal government will increase their respective contribution to financing operating costs by ten percent from 2026. In total, the federal and state governments will provide an additional amount of 12 million euros. According to reports, the budget will increase to around 135 million euros.