German lobbies home in on new regime

Article reports that hundreds of business interest groups in Germany are hopeful that the new centre-right CDU-FDP coalition government emerging from the September 2009 election will open its door wider to outside advice as it defines its policy agenda.

In contrast, the trade unions, which had good access to the Social Democratic-led labour ministry under the previous Grand Coalition and inspired its minimum wage initiative and the government’s extension of short-time work subsidies, may find their access suddenly restricted.

ESO: Background information: Germany: Parliamentary Election, 27 September 2009 (Federal Election) http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-parliamentary-election-27-september-2009-federal-election/

ESO: Background information: Cold shoulder: how Merkel's coalition is spurning lobbyists in its reform push http://www.europeansources.info/record/cold-shoulder-how-merkels-coalition-is-spurning-lobbyists-in-its-reform-push/

ESO: Background information: Germany’s future coalition allies clash http://www.europeansources.info/record/germanys-future-coalition-allies-clash/

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