As you are aware, economic matters played a key role in the election campaign. I would like to take up some of these matters today in Oslo. Under the heading “Economic outlook and economic policy challenges for Germany”, I would like, first, to talk to you about the reforms that are needed on the labour market as well as in tax and social policy.
Second, I shall also ask the question of whether we need a new policy mix. And, finally, I shall look at the eastward enlargement of the European Union as a major economic policy challenge. My simple proposition is that Germany’s economic outlook depends foremost on coping with the existing economic policy challenges.