Moving Germany forward again – our responsibility as entrepreneurs and citizens
A perspective from the transport industry – directed at our business partners.
A clear view from the outside
German media often present a sanitized version of events. Either they fail to recognize reality or they choose to avoid addressing it directly. Abroad, the situation is described much more openly: Germany is no longer performing as one might expect given its economic history. Swiss and Austrian newspapers state it clearly – we are falling behind while others are gaining ground.
This is evident not only in statistics but also in very concrete terms. In Bremen, my hometown, it's glaringly obvious: none of the five bridges over the Weser River can bear their full load. The A1 Weser Bridge, one of the most important north-south routes, has recently been subject to restrictions. The result: daily traffic jams stretching for kilometers. For logistics, this means delivery delays, rising costs, disgruntled customers, and contractual problems. This isn't an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of years of neglect – and emblematic of what's currently happening across the country.
The braking factors
We shut down functioning power plants without having secure alternatives – resulting in the highest electricity prices in Europe. We let roads, bridges, and rail networks deteriorate while traffic increases. We stifle businesses with bureaucracy and red tape instead of fostering innovation. We burden high achievers with a tax burden that is internationally off-putting. We neglect our schools while we need ever more highly skilled professionals. And we allow social cohesion to erode because we fail to consistently demand integration.
This is not a single problem – it is a cluster of structural deficiencies. Just as a company that simultaneously has liquidity problems, outdated machinery, a lack of staff, and declining quality cannot be saved with a cosmetic fix, our country will not get back on track with an isolated measure.
The decision: Steer now or collide later
The "business as usual" approach is not a stable option. Those who pursue it inevitably face a delayed shock – when the pressure becomes so great that it bursts the system. And we all know: then the course correction will be chaotic, uncontrolled, and with consequences that none of us can influence.
The only responsible alternative is to initiate the transformation now – consciously, systematically, and comprehensively. This means: lowering taxes and levies, reducing bureaucracy, securing energy supplies, restructuring education, and strengthening social cohesion.
Act now – for our business and our country
We must act now – not sometime in the future. We need tangible tax and levy cuts so that hard work pays off again in this country. We must streamline bureaucracy – especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of our economy. Our energy supply must be stable before we decommission old capacity. Education must once again focus on technology, science, and merit. We need genuine social cohesion, which means clearly demanding and promoting integration. And we must renew our political leadership – with people who bring competence and entrepreneurial thinking, not just party careers.
These are not wishful thinking, but necessary prerequisites for Germany to regain momentum. We business owners must exert pressure together – loudly, clearly, and unmistakably – because these problems also threaten our business.
Looking ahead – what's possible
I am convinced that if we take the right path now, we can still turn things around. We have the potential, the skills, and the resources to bring Germany back to the top ranks of the strongest economies. We should focus on the opportunities we have, rather than on the reasons why something might not work. Every day we take bold steps brings us closer to our goal of securing our prosperity, modernizing our infrastructure, and strengthening our country as an attractive business location.
Let's tackle it – together, determinedly and with a clear view to the future.
