FDP Challenges CDU's Economic Capabilities
Germany's FDP party criticizes the CDU for intervening too late in the dispute over a planned law for tougher penalties for companies. Volker Wissing, the Liberal Party's general secretary, declared to "Handelsblatt" that the CDU seems to have finally recognized the need to safeguard the economy from its own government's policies.
Wissing expressed concern over the seemingly absent economic sensibility within the CDU/CSU union, questioning where it might have vanished. The economic wing of the CDU and CSU had previously voiced clear reservations regarding the draft law planned by Federal Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht (SPD).
The proposed corporate criminal law is intended to combat economic crime more effectively. However, Carsten Linnemann, the deputy chairman of the CDU's parliamentary group, cautioned that it would lead to "massive additional bureaucracy" and could give the impression that companies are inherently deceitful. Linnemann considers this a disheartening signal, particularly in the current crisis where countless family businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
The law aims to reform the liability of both national and multinational corporations, with future prosecution being conducted ex officio. It also includes provisions for higher fines and registration in a sanctions register managed by the Federal Office of Justice.
Recent political developments in Germany have contextualized this dispute. The German federal election in February 2025 resulted in a new government formation, with Friedrich Merz of the CDU/CSU being elected as Chancellor. The FDP, traditionally known for supporting business-friendly policies, did not enter parliament in the election, limiting their current influence on political debates, including corporate criminal law reforms.
Volker Wissing, the Liberal Party's general secretary, expressed concern over the disappearance of economic sensibility within the CDU/CSU union, particularly in the face of the proposed policy-and-legislation for tougher penalties for companies, which he believes the CDU has recognized too late. The general news about the disclaimer from the economic wing of the CDU and CSU regarding the draft law for corporate criminal law further highlights the issues with the CDU's approach to policy-and-legislation that affects the economy, a matter traditionally handled with kid gloves by the FDP in German politics.
