The “autumn of reforms” announced last September by the conservative Chancellor Merz never materialised. Disagreements within the coalition, negotiations with the Länder (federal states), and bureaucratic hurdles led to reduced corporate aid and the postponement of a comprehensive pension reform. Nevertheless, the Chancellor opened 2026 by promising a “spring of reforms,” specifically targeting health insurance funding and increased flexibility in working hours. On 24 March, Vice-Chancellor and
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As a Berlin correspondent for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business and labour market. My areas of interest include co-determination, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.