Overview
- On his first visit to Schwerin, the chancellor vowed to help municipalities manage surging social costs but emphasized solutions on the expenditure side over fresh funding.
- He said the federal cabinet has approved completing the Wolgast bypass to Usedom, a project now estimated at about €500 million with completion expected in 2028.
- Minister‑President Manuela Schwesig pressed for lower energy prices, stronger port support and use of the federal special fund, from which the state can plan roughly €1.9 billion over twelve years.
- Stakeholders remained split, with DGB Nord urging that EU regional money continue to go directly to regions, the CDU calling for business relief and bureaucracy cuts, and the Greens seeking greater municipal support.
- Merz toured Ypsomed’s expanding Schwerin site, where the Swiss med‑tech company plans to invest more than €500 million and aims to reach about 1,000 jobs by 2030.