Recently, Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), publicly urged German citizens to ‘work more’ in response to slowing economic growth, labor shortages, and mounting pressure on the country’s social welfare system. His remarks have sparked widespread debate. Supporters argue that, given Germany’s aging population and declining birth rates, increasing labor participation and working hours could help sustain economic vitality and preserve the high-welfare model. Critics, however, contend that simply calling for more work overlooks structural issues—such as productivity improvements, work-life balance, and the role of immigration in supplementing the labor force. German trade unions and left-leaning parties also worry that such rhetoric might be used to justify cuts to social benefits or weaken workers’ rights. In fact, Germany already ranks among Europe’s most productive economies; the real challenge may lie not in working more, but in optimizing resource allocation, advancing industrial innovation, and ensuring fair distribution. Merz’s statement reflects a broader shift within Germany’s conservative camp—from the traditional social market economy toward greater emphasis on individual responsibility and market efficiency. Striking a balance between protecting workers’ rights and enhancing economic competitiveness will remain a key issue for Germany’s political and social discourse.
近日，德国基民盟（CDU）主席弗里德里希·默茨（Friedrich Merz）公开呼吁德国公民‘多工作’，以应对当前经济增速放缓、劳动力短缺以及社会福利体系压力加大的挑战。这一言论迅速引发广泛讨论。支持者认为，在人口老龄化加剧、出生率下降的背景下，提高劳动参与率和延长工作时间有助于增强国家经济活力，维持高福利制度的可持续性。然而，批评者则指出，单纯强调‘多工作’忽视了结构性问题，如劳动生产率提升、工作与生活平衡、以及移民政策对劳动力市场的补充作用。此外，德国工会和部分左翼政党担忧，此类言论可能被用来合理化削减社会福利或削弱劳工权益。事实上，德国已是欧洲劳动生产率较高的国家之一，问题关键或许不在于‘是否多工作’，而在于如何优化资源配置、推动产业升级与公平分配。默茨的表态也反映出德国保守派在经济政策上的转向——从传统社会市场经济向更强调个人责任与市场效率的方向靠拢。未来，如何在保障劳动者权益与提升经济竞争力之间取得平衡，将成为德国政治与社会的重要议题。
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