What does the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD say on Europe?

On 9 April, the CDU, CSU and SPD presented what they had agreed on in their coalition agreement and what they intend to do in the coming years. Overall, the CDU/CSU and SPD are clearly pro-European and want to tap into the full potential to strengthen the European Union's (EU) strategic sovereignty and its ability to act. The CDU/CSU and SPD are also committed to an effective, coherent and reliable European policy with a constructive approach to its implementation. According to the coalition agreement, the EU more than ever needs a strong Germany that contributes with European conviction, ideas and commitment.

Commitment to a social Europe

The coalition agreement commits to the goals, values and principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The CDU/CSU and SPD want to work along these lines towards an EU that improves the lives of European citizens, guarantees fair working conditions, participation and good collective bargaining partnerships, as well as combats social inequalities and poverty. The three parties also support effective means to promote fair and well-functioning labour markets and social systems, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity.

Supporting labour mobility

The CDU/CSU and SPD are in favour of a European social security pass with an EU digital identity (EUDI wallet). According to the three parties, the reform of the eDeclaration is intended to technically simplify the EU posting declaration under labour law and pool it with the A1 procedure under social security law. In the future, the disability card, pension certificate and the A1 certificate are to be made available digitally. The CDU/CSU and SPD reject a European unemployment insurance scheme.

Improved working conditions

With regard to occupational health and safety, the coalition agreement supports higher European occupational health and safety standards for commercial drivers. Furthermore, in line with the European Working Time Directive, the possibility of weekly instead of daily maximum working hours is to be created in order to give employees and companies more flexibility and improve the work-life balance of employees. Moreover, prevention is a top priority. Both the concept of 'prevention before rehabilitation before retirement' and the prevention of mental illness are to be reinforced.

Chemicals policy as an economic factor

According to the coalition agreement, Germany is to become the world's most advanced centre of innovation for chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. In the chemicals policy, the CDU/CSU and SPD are in favour of a balanced European regulatory framework with a risk-based approach, so as to harmonise environmental protection, health protection and competitiveness. This applies to the revision of the EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), for example. A complete ban on certain chemical substance groups such as PFAS is rejected. At the same time, research and development of alternative substances is to be intensified, and PFAS are to be replaced as soon as possible, where feasible.

Healthcare and supply reliability

The CDU/CSU and SPD want to relocate production sites for critical pharmaceuticals and medical devices back to Germany and Europe in order to strengthen supply reliability. At the same time, the internal market is to be further developed in a targeted manner in the areas of energy and telecommunications, as well as medical products, the pharmaceutical industry and digitalisation. With regard to global health, the CDU/CSU and SPD are calling for intensified research into antimicrobial resistance and want to promote more sustainable financing of healthcare systems worldwide.

Promoting artificial intelligence

Germany's role as a data centre location is to be strengthened, and at least one of the European AI gigafactories is to be brought to Germany. Furthermore, the CDU/CSU and SPD want to examine whether and in what form liability rules governing artificial intelligence need to be adapted at the European level. With a view to the announced revision of the European General Data Protection Regulation, the CDU/CSU and SPD advocate exempting non-commercial activities, small and medium-sized enterprises and low-risk data processing from its scope.

Revision of public procurement law

The CDU/CSU and SPD want to work on simplifying, accelerating and digitising public procurement law at the national and European level for all types of supplies and services for the federal, state and local governments. To this end, public procurement law is to be realigned with its objective of economic, discrimination-free and corruption-free procurement, and options of sectoral exemptions from public procurement law (for example in the area of national security) are to be offered.

Strengthening the internal market

The coalition agreement includes a clear commitment to the internal market as the driving force behind the EU’s economic strength. According to the CDU/CSU and SPD, competition in the internal market must be based on innovation and efficiency. Mobilisation of private capital requires steps towards a genuine capital market and banking union. In addition, the three parties want to prevent unnecessary burdens at the European level and are in favour of a comprehensive and effective reduction of EU bureaucracy.

Capability to act at the EU level

The coalition agreement calls for a united approach of the federal government towards its European partners and institutions. To this end, any interdepartmental conflicts should be resolved as early as possible through a weekly meeting of secretaries of state under the leadership of the Head of the German Chancellery (EU monitoring) or otherwise raised to the cabinet level. Furthermore, the coalition agreement envisages more extensive application of the principle of enhanced cooperation within the meaning of a 'multi-speed Europe' concept. To protect cohesion within the EU, this enhanced cooperation must always be open to all Member States.