Thyssenkrupp's Struggles: Laumann's Stand Against Government Interference
State Opposes Government Interference in Thyssenkrupp Affairs - Resists Participation in Thyssenkrupp Alliance: Laumann's Standoff
When it comes to the industrial giant Thyssenkrupp, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister of Labour, Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU), isn't buying the idea of state intervention. He's convinced that making production competitive with subsidies, taking on entrepreneurial responsibility through a stake, or sitting on the supervisory board isn't the way to go for our domestic steel industry. So, he voiced his dissent in a heated debate in the Düsseldorf state parliament.
Opposition Raises Questions
Things are getting heated as the SPD, FDP, and AfD can't wrap their heads around how Thyssenkrupp Steel could be shedding 11,000 jobs while the state government brags about securing the largest individual grant in state history—a whopping 700 million euros for a direct reduction plant. SPD’s leader Jochen Ott (SPD) argue that Laumann didn't even try to secure co-determination, location, or job guarantees.
Criticism From All Sides
Laumann accepts the need for change within Thyssenkrupp, but he believes it should be achieved through a partnership between the company and its employees. He’s quick to point out that trust has taken a hit, especially in the past few weeks.
Green faction leader Wibke Brems also questions Thyssenkrupp's transparency regarding its future plans. However, she stresses that the state government should steer clear of intervening in business decisions.
The FDP, on the other hand, lashes out at the entire economic policy of the black-green state government, with FDP leader Henning Höne blaming the Greens for the stagnant economy.
Crisis in the NRW Industry
NRW Economics Minister Mona Neubauer readily admits that the industry is deep in crisis. Despite this, she emphasizes the importance of reducing energy costs, which she claims the state government has no control over.
The CDU, AfD, and FDP all point to a challenging global economic and political environment and accuse the state government of being too lenient with regulations that drive up costs.
AfD representative Christian Loose goes so far as to call for the abolition of CO2 costs for steel and electricity to save our domestic industry.
Insights
It's worth noting that CDU represents the conservative wing of German politics, traditionally advocating for free-market principles. The SPD is more centrist and liberal, with a historical focus on social justice and worker protection. The FDP is a liberal party that tends to advocate for economic liberties and free-market policies. The AfD, a right-wing party, often espouses anti-immigration and economic nationalist beliefs. In this context, opposition to state intervention might align with the CDU's free-market ideology, while the SPD and FDP might favor intervention to protect workers and the industry. The AfD's stance could be influenced by both economic nationalism and anti-regulation sentiments.
- The employment policy of the state government is a subject of debate as some question the rationality of substantial grants while job losses occur in companies like Thyssenkrupp, who are shedding 11,000 jobs.
- In the midst of the crisis in NRW industry, the CDU, AfD, and FDP all advocate for reduced regulation and costs, with the AfD going as far as calling for the abolition of CO2 costs for steel and electricity to save the domestic industry, aligning with their economic nationalist and free-market beliefs.
