In Search of a Government – on the Results of the Exploratory Talks between the CDU/CSU and the SPD

In the February survey of the ifo and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Economists Panel, professors of economics at German universities were asked about the results of the exploratory talks between the CDU/CSU and the SPD. A majority of the participants were largely disappointed by the results. In particular, the planned tax cuts for low and middle income groups via a reduction of the solidarity surcharge does not seem to be ambitious enough. Instead of a continuation of the old coalition, a relative majority of surveyed economists would have preferred a minority government led by the Union parties.