Germany's Merz to press cabinet for faster pro-growth reforms

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will urge his cabinet next ​week to accelerate reforms aimed ‌at easing the burden on businesses and reviving economic growth, the Bild am Sonntag ​newspaper reported on Sunday.

"At stake ​in Germany are growth and employment. ⁠That is the most important ​issue," Merz told the newspaper ahead ​of a cabinet retreat in Neuhardenberg, Brandenburg. "So full concentration on that — keep your eye ​on the ball."

Merz, leader of ​the conservative Christian Democratic Union, plans to focus ‌ministers ⁠on swiftly implementing reforms agreed before the summer recess, including measures covering taxes, pensions, deregulation and digitalisation, according ​to the ​report.

"We ⁠made historic decisions before the summer break," Merz said. "Now ​they must be implemented as ​quickly ⁠as possible."

He said the government's priority was to deliver "rapid and comprehensive ⁠relief ​for the economy," particularly ​for tradespeople and small and medium-sized companies.

- Reuters