Schweitzer demands more engagement from Merz for chemical dialogue - Rhineland-Palatinate's leader slams Berlin over stalled chemical industry support
Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer has urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz to take stronger action in supporting Germany's struggling chemical industry. In a recent letter, Schweitzer criticised the federal government's slow progress on key issues, including industrial electricity pricing and the broader Chemie-Dialog initiative.
Schweitzer's frustration centres on the government's failure to deliver on its coalition promise: making Germany Europe's leading hub for chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Despite earlier agreements, he claims the Chemie-Dialog has stalled, leaving businesses without critical support.
The minister also targeted Economics Minister Katherina Reiche for her delayed response to rising fuel prices. According to Schweitzer, commuters and small businesses have already borne the brunt of these costs, paying what he called an *'outrageously high price'* for the government's inaction. Industry leaders at the event echoed concerns about broader economic pressures. They pointed to supply chain disruptions from the Iran conflict and soaring raw material costs, particularly in the construction sector. These challenges have added further strain to an already fragile industrial landscape. Schweitzer stressed that even basic measures, like reforming industrial electricity pricing, remain unresolvedâdespite internal government consensus. His letter to Merz demands *'real determination'* to push the *Chemie-Dialog* forward before further damage is done.
The call for federal intervention comes as Germany's chemical sector faces mounting pressures from global conflicts and rising costs. Without faster action on pricing and policy, Schweitzer warns, the industry's competitivenessâand the government's own ambitionsâcould be at risk.
