The German government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has announced a 34-point reform package designed to address economic stagnation and enhance national competitiveness.

由總理 Friedrich Merz 領導的德國政府，已宣布一項包含 34 點的改革方案，旨在解決經濟停滯問題並提升國家競爭力。

The proposed legislative framework encompasses fiscal, labor, and social security adjustments. Central to the fiscal strategy is the provision of approximately €10 billion in annual income tax relief for low- and middle-income households, partially financed by increasing the top income tax rate from 45% to 47% for high earners. To mitigate bureaucratic impediments, the administration intends to implement automatic approval rules for corporate applications and reduce reporting obligations, specifically targeting strategic sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and clean technology.

擬議的立法框架涵蓋了財政、勞工與社會保障的調整。財政策略的核心是為低收入與中產家庭提供每年約 100 億歐元的所得稅減免，部分資金將透過將高收入者的最高所得稅率從 45% 提高至 47% 來籌措。為了減少官僚程序的阻礙，政府打算對企業申請實施自動審批規則並減少申報義務，特別針對半導體、人工智慧與清潔技術等策略性產業。

Labor market modifications focus on increasing productivity and reducing absenteeism. The government has mandated that medical certificates be provided on the first day of illness, effectively eliminating telephone-based sick notes. This measure is a response to data indicating an increase in average annual sick leave to approximately 19.5 days. Furthermore, the reforms grant employers greater flexibility regarding fixed-term contracts and the dismissal of high-earning personnel.

勞動力市場的修改重點在於提升生產力與減少缺勤。政府規定自病假第一天起就必須提供醫療證明，有效地取消了電話請病假。此項措施是對應數據顯示，平均每年病假增加至約 19.5 天。此外，改革賦予僱主在定期契約與解僱高薪人員方面更大的靈活性。

Addressing demographic pressures, the coalition intends to overhaul the pension system by integrating an investment-based component alongside the existing pay-as-you-go model. This transition includes a gradual increase in the retirement age, indexed to life expectancy. Additionally, a federal housing entity will be established to facilitate affordable housing, and welfare enforcement will be intensified through expanded data sharing to prevent benefits fraud.

針對人口壓力，聯合政府打算透過將投資成分與現有的隨付隨取（pay-as-you-go）模式結合，來改革退休金制度。此過渡期包括將退休年齡根據預期壽命逐步提高。此外，將成立一個聯邦房屋機構以促進可負擔房屋，並透過擴大數據共享來加強福利執法，防止福利詐騙。

Stakeholder reception remains polarized. While coalition partners from the CDU/CSU and SPD characterize the package as a necessary compromise for economic revival, opposition from the AfD, the Green Party, and the Left Party persists. Trade unions and medical associations have specifically condemned the sick-leave mandates, asserting that such requirements will exacerbate healthcare system congestion and infringe upon workers' rights.

持份者的反應依然兩極。雖然來自 CDU/CSU 與 SPD 的聯合夥伴將此方案描述為經濟復甦所需的必要妥協，但來自 AfD、綠黨與左翼黨的反對聲音依然存在。工會與醫學會特別譴責病假證明的規定，認為此類要求將加劇醫療系統的擁擠，並侵害勞工權益。

The German government is proceeding with these reforms amid significant public dissatisfaction and low approval ratings for the current administration.

德國政府在公眾極其不滿以及現任政府支持率低迷的情況下，繼續推行這些改革。