German Businesses Urge Next Government to Prioritize Cutting Bureaucracy

A new survey reveals that nearly 40% of companies see reducing regulatory burdens as the top priority, ahead of lowering energy costs and taxes.

An Ifo Institute survey of 900 German companies found that 40% prioritize reducing bureaucracy, with smaller firms particularly affected by regulatory burdens.
High energy costs and tax reductions ranked as the second and third priorities, with 30% and fewer respondents respectively highlighting these concerns.
Businesses report that bureaucratic requirements consume significant resources, with some firms spending up to 6% of their revenue on compliance costs.
The survey underscores fears of economic stagnation, with calls for swift reforms to address Germany's 'unprecedented backlog' of regulatory and structural challenges.
The upcoming February Bundestag election has intensified debates over policies to alleviate bureaucracy, with mixed progress noted in recent years despite government promises.