With Peer Steinbrück and Thomas de Maizière two of our speakers, were guests on Sandra Maischberger's show at the beginning of December. The topic of discussion was the reform backlog in Germany.
Reform backlog and the state's ability to act
How capable is the country still of taking action? Where is bureaucracy blocking necessary reforms, and how can trust in politics and administration be regained? These questions were the focus of a recent edition of maischberger, in which Peer Steinbrück and Thomas de Maizière assessed the key challenges facing German politics.
Looking back on the grand coalition from 2005 to 2009, Steinbrück and de Maizière described a political climate that, despite differences in policy, was characterised by mutual trust. Major reforms were possible, they said, because the government and administration acted in unison, even during the financial crisis. Today, according to their analysis, a heated political environment with constant outrage, tensions within the coalition and a lack of loyalty make constructive governance difficult.
Reducing bureaucracy as the key to the state's ability to reform
Both identified the reform backlog within the state itself as a key issue for the future. Decades of growing bureaucracy, complex responsibilities and a pronounced case-by-case approach have increasingly paralysed the administration. They welcomed the recent joint decision by the federal and state governments to reduce bureaucracy, which for the first time sets a binding framework. Among other things, they called for more general regulations in social law, digital administration platforms and a clear focus on feasibility rather than perfection in detail.
Peer Steinbrück and Thomas de Maizière as speakers
The conversation highlights what Peer Steinbrück and Thomas de Maizière also stand for as speakers: clear analysis, first-hand political experience, and clear perspectives on the major reform challenges of our time - from cutting red tape to social policy and Europe’s role in a changing world order.
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