German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised relief for the country's economy and measures to promote business investment in remarks on Monday at an industry conference in Berlin.
"I could imagine that we could go one better in terms of depreciation and research funding than what we have achieved with the Growth Opportunities Act," Scholz said, referring to a previous set of pro-business measures passed by his coalition.
But doing so would require support from the leaders of Germany's 16 states, who previously insisted on reducing some of the tax breaks and other measures in the Growth Opportunities Act.
Scholz said that his three-party coalition is planning a "dynamization package" to spur growth, including reforms to boost the country's labour force by making longer working hours much more attractive.
He also said measures to make it easier for parents of young children to work should be increased, including through tax incentives.
Scholz acknowledged that volatile energy prices as well as plans to increase renewable electricity sources had posed challenges for German industry, particularly because of lower energy costs elsewhere in the world.
He said the government is in intensive discussions about how to make energy cost relief measures permanent and give companies more clarity around future costs and policies.
