Chancellor Merz makes a government announcement in the Bundestag today. He is expected to speak both at the NATO summit and on the reforms adopted by coalition leaders.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is likely to introduce himself this morning in the Bundestag as the “Chancellor of Reform” with reference to the latest coalition decisions.
Last week, the black-red government alliance unveiled 34 economic development and employment measures. This includes tax reform with benefits worth 10 billion euros.
Debate over mandatory medical certificates and telephone calls Sick leave
In addition, reporting requirements should be eliminated, which Merz called a real liberation for companies. The coalition’s plans to abolish telephone sick leave and make medical certification mandatory from day one are likely to be discussed in subsequent debates.
Medical associations and trade unions opposed this. Merz called it a difficult decision, which was defended by leading Union politicians. They justify this by the supposedly high incidence rate compared to other countries.
The chancellor is also expected to comment on the outcome of the NATO summit in Ankara, where US President Donald Trump yesterday once again tested the alliance’s cohesion with sharp criticism of the allies. After debate over Merz’s government announcement, parliament held the night before the Bundestag meets tomorrow for the last time before the summer holidays.