The German Printing and Media Industries Federation welcomes the rapid agreement reached by the CDU/CSU and SPD in the coalition negotiations. This is because Germany would need a reliable government with the ability to act in order to bring the economy back to where it once was: world export champion, innovative location with high economic growth and strong small and medium-sized companies. From the BVDM’s point of view, however, the partially good approaches are not enough and vague promises must be quickly followed by reforms.
The economic situation has worsened in recent weeks. Economic growth continues to fall, prices are exploding and there is a threat of global trade conflicts. All of this is also having a negative impact on the German print and media industry. The BVDM is therefore hoping for a strong economic policy from the new coalition and welcomes the investment booster announced in the coalition agreement. However, this will only be effective if the economic policy framework creates an investment climate. Vague announcements would have to be translated into concrete measures in order for a genuine economic turnaround to succeed. The intended reduction in energy costs through the capping of grid fees and the cancellation of the gas storage levy should also be viewed positively, but must be financially viable in the long term.
The BVDM takes a positive view of the new German government’s endeavours to prevent excessive regulation through taxonomy, sustainability reporting and the supply chain due diligence obligation. The print and media industry expects a reduction in bureaucracy instead of further EU regulations.
In the BVDM’s view, the coalition partners’ approach to collective bargaining autonomy is questionable. Politicians should not continue to interfere in the development of minimum wages. Statements that an adjustment to 15 euros is to take place by 2026 are poison for the work of the independent minimum wage commission and would restrict the room for manoeuvre of trade unions and employers in collective bargaining. The minimum wage policy would not strengthen collective bargaining commitment, nor would the planned federal law on collective bargaining. Mandatory collective bargaining by the state when awarding public contracts would contradict the autonomy of collective bargaining.
The BVDM also criticises the coalition agreement for the lack of structural reforms in the social security systems. As a result, social security contributions would continue to rise, placing a burden on both employees and employers. Non-wage labour costs in Germany are already above average today.
BVDM
The Bundesverband Druck und Medien e. V. (bvdm) is the umbrella organisation of the German printing industry. As an employers’ organisation, political business association and technical trade association, it represents the positions and objectives of the printing industry vis-à-vis politicians, administration, trade unions and the supplier industry. The bvdm is supported by eight regional associations. Internationally, it is organised through its membership of Intergraf and FESPA. The printing industry currently comprises around 6,300 predominantly small and medium-sized companies with more than 99,000 employees subject to social security contributions.
