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VCI Calls on New German Government to Promote Industrial Development

  On February 24, the Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. (VCI) called on the country's main political parties to form a coalition government as soon as possible after the February 23 elections in order to boost the German economy and industry.

VCI Chairman and COST CEO Schleifen said on February 24: “Economic problems need a clear perspective and a stable government to solve them. We hope that the governing coalition negotiations will be conducted constructively and responsibly, in the national interest and with an economic focus. The uncertainty over the prospects of chemical companies must end now.” VCI noted that Germany is losing ground in international competition due to domestic structural problems and geopolitical challenges. The association called for using the first 100 days of the new legislative period to initiate central reforms. Schleven emphasized, “The chemical industry needs a fundamental renewal that provides a real fresh start for the industry and for innovation. This includes a sustained reduction of bureaucracy, competitive energy prices and a lower corporate tax burden.”

  The VCI also called on the next German government to re-establish the country's “leadership role” within the European Commission and the wider EU. Schleven said, “Politicians must now deliver on their promises - pragmatically, without ideology, and with the courage to compromise. This is the only way for Germany to remain industrially attractive.”

  Preliminary vote counts for the Bundestag election released by Germany's Federal Election Commission in the early hours of Feb. 24 showed that the coalition party, with CDU chairman Friedrich Mertz as its candidate for chancellor, won the election. The CDU is expected to form a coalition with outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats, but negotiations to form a government are expected to take months.