"Ramona Meinzer's achievements documented as follows: 18 instances of medium significance, 3 demonstrations of courage, and 5 crucial occurrences."
In the coalition agreement of Germany, there's a strong emphasis on supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). These businesses, which make up an impressive 99% of all companies in the country, play a crucial role in the economy and social cohesion. They create more than half of the socially insured jobs and 75% of all training places.
The agreement aims to provide concrete fiscal relief for SMEs, primarily through energy cost reductions. The long-term continuation of the reduction of the electricity tax is planned, aiming to lower costs for manufacturing companies, agriculture, forestry, and SMEs such as butchers and bakeries. This measure is expected to save around three billion euros annually.
From January 2026, the government also plans to subsidize transmission grid fees and levies, with a 6.5 billion euro subsidy benefiting all consumers and businesses, including SMEs.
However, there has been political contention regarding these energy cost reliefs. While the initial coalition agreement envisaged broad electricity tax cuts including for small businesses, recent government decisions have kept households and small businesses excluded from immediate electricity tax reductions due to budget concerns. This has led to criticism from business associations who argue that such exclusions undermine trust since reductions were promised in the coalition treaty.
Besides energy cost relief, the German government supports the economy broadly through initiatives like the "Made for Germany" alliance. This alliance brings together leading companies committing to large-scale investments, aiming to boost confidence and growth at the business location, indirectly benefiting SMEs by unlocking growth and jobs.
The coalition agreement also promises concrete bureaucratic reduction, which is particularly important for the middling class of companies. These businesses are particularly dependent on reliable political framework conditions and are ready for more concrete action and more visibility for entrepreneurship. A societal climate that strengthens entrepreneurship is needed, one that recognizes performance and does not stigmatize failure.
Moreover, a climate that encourages young people to found or take over companies is desired. The word "courage" appears three times in the coalition agreement, reflecting the personal risk, responsibility, and high quality standards that brave entrepreneurs act with.
Politics should be ready to support the middling class in these endeavors. Smart structures and practical help are needed for protection, prevention, and reaction against cybersecurity attacks. Attacks on small and medium-sized enterprises are increasing rapidly, and faster approvals for investments are also desired.
In conclusion, the coalition agreement sets out a clear path for supporting SMEs in Germany, focusing on energy cost relief, bureaucratic reduction, and broader economic measures to encourage investment and growth in the German business environment. However, it's crucial to address the concerns raised by business associations regarding the exclusion of small businesses from immediate electricity tax reductions to maintain trust and ensure the success of these initiatives.
Sources: [1] https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/koalitionsvertrag-kleinunternehmer-gegen-steuerkürzungen-verzweifeln-9948826.html [2] https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/koalitionsvertrag-koalition-will-10-milliarden-in-die-energie-umstellung-investieren-9945464.html [3] https://www.made-for-germany.de/ [4] https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/deutschland/koalitionsvertrag-koalition-will-10-milliarden-in-die-energie-umstellung-investieren-9945464.html
- Amidst the growing emphasis on supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), the German government plans to provide fiscal relief, particularly in the realm of energy costs, aiming to lower expenses for various business sectors, including technology, finance, and lifestyle-oriented SMEs such as bakeries and butchers.
- To foster a robust and dynamic business landscape, the coalition agreement also encompasses measures beyond energy cost relief, with initiatives like the "Made for Germany" alliance focusing on large-scale investments, which can ultimately benefit various sectors of the economy, including technology, finance, and lifestyle, indirectly supporting the growth and development of SMEs.
