President Kruse advocates for a surge in political momentum
At the "Shaping Europe - Liberal Perspectives from the European Parliament" event held on Hamburg's Jungfernstieg, AGA Business Association hosted Svenja Hahn, Member of the European Parliament and President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), on July 3rd, 2025. Hahn, along with Dr. Hans Fabian Kruse, AGA's President, shared their insights on the need for economic growth and infrastructure development in Europe.
Hahn emphasized the importance of reducing bureaucracy and promoting a strong, digital economy. She expressed concerns about Brussels often being seen as synonymous with bureaucracy and meddling in people's lives and daily routines. Hahn advocated for an offensive for the internal market and free trade, believing that Europe can once again become a hotspot for innovation made in Europe.
In line with this, Hahn called for an economic transition in Germany and Europe, focusing on a strong, digital economy without excessive bureaucracy. She emphasized the need for a swift implementation of the VAT reform, which is a significant economic policy issue aimed at simplifying tax systems, reducing evasion, and making taxes more equitable.
Dr. Hans Fabian Kruse echoed similar sentiments, expressing a lack of concrete timeline for the implementation of the VAT reform and digitalization of customs clearance. He argued that these measures are crucial for stimulating economic activity by reducing administrative burdens and ensuring a more stable revenue stream for governments.
Kruse also stressed the urgent need to renew the Köhlbrand Bridge, a significant infrastructure project in Hamburg. He called for a quick construction of a new Köhlbrand Bridge, arguing that it is needed today, not in the 2040s. Kruse further urged for faster planning and approval procedures for infrastructure projects, as well as federal government's financial participation in the construction of the new Köhlbrand Bridge.
Infrastructure projects and the port, according to Kruse, should have priority in the next five years. He expressed his hope that these initiatives would support local economies and enhance connectivity, contributing to the overall growth and competitiveness of Europe.
In conclusion, the event highlighted the shared vision of Hahn and Kruse for a more competitive, bureaucracy-free, and digitally advanced Europe. Their calls for VAT reform, digitalization of customs clearance, and Köhlbrand Bridge renewal underscore the need for policymakers to prioritize these issues in order to foster economic growth and innovation in Europe.
Svenja Hahn, in alignment with Dr. Hans Fabian Kruse, emphasized the necessity for a swift implementation of the VAT reform, a key economic policy issue, to simplify tax systems and promote a strong, digital economy without excessive bureaucracy. They also advocated for a renewal of the Köhlbrand Bridge, a significant infrastructure project in Hamburg, as a means to stimulate economic activity and enhance connectivity, emphasizing the need for faster planning and approval processes, as well as federal government's financial participation. These policy-and-legislation initiatives, they believe, are crucial in the politics of Europe's general-news landscape, contributing to the growth and competitiveness of the continent.
