Germany: statutory health care reform a major election issue - by Gilbert Mertens*.

Pharma Marketletter, December, 2004

Germans are struck by the observation that Germany is a stagnant society. For years, they have seen their social-consensus model as the blueprint for the rest of Europe. However, news such as: consumers gradually losing any hope of a consistent upturn in the economy in the near future; widespread debate on sites in various sectors being relocated to other countries; the introduction of combined unemployment and social security benefits under the so-called "Hartz IV" law; and a predicted 5 million people out of work this winter, has resulted in citizens seeing themselves as victims of failed policies and subsequent governments.

Is this the right moment for politicians to give up their social romantism and find new ways, instead of further penalizing the country's...