The Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy 2 “There is more to economic affairs than the competitiveness of a few large companies. Our country’s pros- perity is also due in no small part to the many people running small and medium-sized businesses, the self- employed and ’s millions of workers. It is therefore essential that everyone benefit from the fruits of these joint labours. The benefits of productivity growth resulting from the digital transformation must also be distributed fairly. A suitable framework is needed to enable us to complete the energy transition and achieve climate targets, while international disputes require close European cooperation and strategic alliances. Rules are essential in eco- nomic affairs.”

Klaus Ernst, Party Chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy

3 The German ’s decisions are prepared by its committees, which are estab- lished at the start of each elec- toral term. Four of them are stipulated by the Basic Law, the German constitution: the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Defence Committee, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union and the Petitions Committee. The Budget Committee and the Committee for the Rules of Procedure are also required by law. The spheres of respon- sibility of the committees essentially reflect the Federal Government’s distribution of ministerial portfolios. This enables Parliament to scruti- nise the government’s work effectively.

The Bundestag committees The German Bundestag sets political priorities of its own by establishing additional committees for specific sub- jects, such as sport, cultural affairs or tourism. In addition, special bodies such as parlia- mentary advisory councils, The committees discuss and committees of inquiry or deliberate on items referred study commissions can also to them by the plenary. They be established. The commit- also have the right to take up tees are composed of mem- issues on their own initiative, bers of all the parliamentary allowing them to set priorities groups, reflecting the balance in the parliamentary debate. of these groups in the German When necessary, they draw Bundestag. The distribution on external expertise – usu- of the chairs and deputy ally by holding public hear- chairs among the parliamen- ings. At the end of a commit- tary groups also reflects their tee’s deliberations, a majority relative strengths in the ple- of its members adopt a recom- nary. In the current electoral mendation for a decision and term, the committees have a report, which serve as the between nine and 49 mem- basis for the plenary’s deci- bers. sion.

5 A growing – and socially equi- table – economy which is also environmentally compatible does not happen automati- cally. It requires a certain framework, and policy-mak- ers have a major part to play in establishing this. The Fed- eral Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is respon- sible for shaping the parame- ters for economic activity within the framework of the social market economy. The Bundestag’s Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy deliberates on bills from this policy field and scrutinises the Ministry’s work. The 49 members of the Committee, chaired by (The ), closely monitor what policies businesses need, what impact legislation has on markets, businesses and people, what factors boost competitiveness and strength- en Germany’s position as a key location for business, and how jobs can be safeguarded

The Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy or new jobs created. The Com- mittee on Economic Affairs and Energy is the Bundestag’s largest committee. It accom- plished a remarkable amount of work in the last electoral term, acting as the lead com- mittee in deliberations on 63 bills, 95 motions, 16 statu- The draft legislation it exam- tory instruments and 149 EU ined included the Bureau- items. The Committee deals cracy Reduction Act. In addi- with subjects such as creating tion, the Committee took up opportunities for growth and issues arising within its area competition, achieving a high of responsibility on its own level of employment, strength- initiative on 85 occasions. Key ening small and medium-sized topics included the acquisi- businesses, promoting new tion of the supermarket chain technologies, or balancing Kaiser's Tengelmann by Edeka economic and environmental Handelsgesellschaft, and the objectives. In the last electoral insolvency of the airline Air term, the Committee dealt with . Since the start of the a total of 1368 items referred last electoral term, the Com- to it by the plenary either as mittee has also been the lead the lead committee, a commit- committee for all aspects of tee asked for its opinion, or the energy transition, related in an expert capacity. These climate protection issues and items included 730 Bundestag energy conservation. One of printed papers and 638 EU the key initiatives in this field items. The Committee on during the last electoral term Economic Affairs and Energy was the Renewable Energy was the lead committee for Sources Act, which is in the 285 Bundestag printed papers. process of being updated.

17 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ CDU/CSU 11 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ SPD 6 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ AfD 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ FDP 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The Left Party 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ /The Greens

Number of members: 49 Chairman: Klaus Ernst, The Left Party Deputy Chairman: Dr , CDU/CSU

7 At the same time, issues relat- ing to the labour market, the shortage of skilled workers, the EU’s single market, foreign The energy transition is an trade and investment, and ambitious project of historic global competition also fea- dimensions. A fundamental ture on the Committee’s transformation of Germany’s agenda. energy supply is taking place, How can Germany’s competi- with the aim of largely replac- tiveness continue to be safe- ing fossil fuels and nuclear guarded in future, for exam- energy with renewable energy ple through trade agreements sources in future; energy con- concluded within the frame- sumption is to be lowered work of the European Union? through improvements in How can positive labour mar- energy efficiency. The Com- ket trends be ensured and mittee discusses questions sustainable economic growth such as: what impact is the achieved? The Committee’s energy transition having on members have to examine a the German economy? How large number of bills, motions can the use of renewable and and communications from the conventional energy sources Federal Government in prepa- be combined more effectively? ration for their deliberations. The fields of economic affairs In addition to the discussions and energy are strikingly and in the Committee, the mem- closely interlinked. Grid expan- bers regularly meet delega- sion, the generation of suffi- tions from foreign parliaments cient electricity from renewa- and governments who are vis- ble sources to meet demand, iting Germany. Furthermore, and measures to boost energy meetings are regularly held efficiency are also in the spot- with representatives of the light in the current electoral European Commission and term. the .

8 The Subcommittee on Regional Economic Policy and ERP Budgets

In the current electoral term, the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy has set up most important legislative a nine-member Subcommittee initiative in this field is the on Regional Economic Policy annual ERP Budget Act, and ERP Budgets, chaired by which establishes the key (SPD). The Sub- parameters for economic committee deliberates on the development policy within annual framework for the the framework of the ERP. The joint Federation-Länder pro- ERP’s priority is financial sup- gramme for the improvement port for the SME sector. The of regional economic struc- various funding programmes – tures, in particular. The Com- such as the ERP Innovation mittee on Economic Affairs Programme, ERP Capital for and Energy receives regular Business Founders or the ERP reports on this subject. The Regional Support Programme funding provided by the – are targeted primarily at Federation through this pro- business founders and rapidly gramme is intended to help growing, investing companies. lagging regions to compensate The Subcommittee regularly for their disadvantages in requests briefings on the Fed- terms of location, so that they eral Government’s economic do not miss out on the wider development policy. The country’s economic growth. Members also visit various The Subcommittee’s delibera- projects to see first-hand tions also cover the European whether the funding provided Recovery Program (ERP). The is being used as intended.

9 Foreign trade and investment, the energy transition and regional economic develop- ment – the Committee’s work in practice

Financial affairs, the environ- ment, health, demographic trends, social affairs, educa- tion, or research: all of these issues are related to economic affairs. For this reason, rather together. Politicians specialis- than simply looking at compa- ing in environmental issues nies, the Committee on Eco- have a role to play in the con- nomic Affairs and Energy text of energy supplies. And focuses on the wider environ- when it comes to tax incen- ment in which businesses tives for businesses, the Com- operate. The Committee is mittee’s members consult the therefore involved in many Bundestag’s politicians spe- cross-cutting economic issues cialising in financial policy. as the lead committee or as a They are also keen to engage committee asked for its opin- in dialogue with colleagues ion. It is thus essential for the from the Committee on Euro- members of the Committee on pean Union Affairs when look- Economic Affairs and Energy ing at European directives to cooperate closely with their with an economic dimension. colleagues from other commit- This variety is reflected by the tees at all times. When training Committee’s agenda, which courses are adapted to better features items such as the reflect companies’ needs, EU-Canada Comprehensive politicians specialising in eco- Economic and Trade Agree- nomic affairs, education and ment (CETA), other trade labour affairs all need to work agreements, and motions on

10 the economic forecasts pro- duced by the leading German economic research institutes. Other meetings focus on arms exports – which fall within the purview of the Federal Minis- try for Economic Affairs and have access to all of the key Energy – or subsidies. The information as the basis for wide-ranging aspects of the their decision. To scrutinise energy transition, in particular, the government’s work, the are often discussed by the Committee also requests com- Committee, including the prehensive reports from the modernisation of the electric- Federal Ministry for Economic ity grids and energy price Affairs and Energy. These trends. Subjects like these include the Annual Economic require the Committee’s mem- Report, the report published bers to study documentation by the Bundeskartellamt (Fed- in detail in preparation for the eral Cartel Office) or a commu- deliberations. When necessary, nication on the coordination the Members consult external framework for the joint Feder- experts at public hearings – ation-Länder programme for on the subject of the National the improvement of regional Regulatory Control Council, economic structures. In today’s for example, which seeks to world, economic affairs pay help the Federal Government little heed to national borders, to cut administrative costs. as is shown by the EU legisla- Other meetings may include tive proposals dealt with by hearings on the modernisation the Committee, on matters of foreign trade law, with the such as the development of an invited experts offering their internal energy market, free expertise and making a vital movement issues in relation to contribution to ensuring that services, or issues relating to the Committee’s members state aid.

11 12 13 Klaus Ernst, The Left Party Chairman, The Left Party spokes- man on economic affairs and energy Dr Matthias Heider, Economist, CDU/CSU socio-economist, Deputy Chairman trade union secretary, Lawyer, b. 1 Nov. 1954 b. 18 May 1966 in ; in Lüdenscheid; unmarried. married; one child. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2005 since 2009

Committee members The 49 members of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy

14 Astrid Grotelüschen, CDU/CSU , Hansjörg Durz, Specialist in nutritional CDU/CSU CDU/CSU science and home Agricultural specialist, Business administrator, economics, b. 23 July 1952 former mayor, b. 9 Dec. 1964 in Brachtendorf, b. 29 July 1971 in ; Rhineland-Palatinate; in Augsburg; married; three children. married; three children. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member from 2009 to 2010 since 1990 since 2013 and since 2013

Axel Knoerig, CDU/CSU , Mark Helfrich, Specialist in political CDU/CSU CDU/CSU science and local Political scientist, Business administrator, government studies, b. 29 Apr. 1984 b. 8 Sep. 1978 b. 1 Mar. 1967 in ; in Itzehoe; in ; unmarried. married; one child. married; one child. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2013 since 2013 since 2009

15 Andreas G. Lämmel, , CDU/CSU CDU/CSU CDU/CSU spokesman Dr , Electrical engineer, on the Committee CDU/CSU entrepreneur, Pastry cook, engineer, Business administrator, b. 27 Sep. 1962 b. 19 Apr. 1959 b. 23 Apr. 1981 in Zeitz; in Falkenstein; in Ebersberg; married; one child. married; two children. unmarried. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2005 since 2005 since 2013

Bernhard Loos, , Carsten Müller, CDU/CSU CDU/CSU CDU/CSU Economist and political Wine grower, Bank clerk, scientist, business administrator, lawyer, b. 30 July 1955 b. 5 July 1981 b. 8 May 1970 in Kaufbeuren; in Worms; in Braunschweig. married; two children. unmarried. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member from 2005 to 2009 since 2017 since 2013 and since 2013

16 Dr , CDU/CSU CDU/CSU spokesman , on economic affairs , CDU/CSU and energy CDU/CSU Urban planning Business administrator, Economist, architect, b. 25 Apr. 1967 b. 23 Dec. 1978 b. 18 Jan. 1968 in Mutlangen; in Goch; in ; three children. unmarried. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2002 since 2017 since 2013

Klaus-Peter Willsch, , CDU/CSU SPD , Economist, Trade union secretary, SPD b. 28 Feb. 1961 b. 12 Apr. 1951 Political scientist, in Bad Schwalbach; in Drevenack; b. 4 Jan. 1976 in married; five children. married; three children. Marburg. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 1998 since 2013 since 2017

17 Frank Junge, , , SPD SPD SPD Sports teacher, Trade union secretary, Business administrator, b. 5 May 1967 b. 8 July 1960 b. 23 July 1984 in Halle (Saale); in Marl; in Wolfsburg; married; two children. married; two children. unmarried. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2013 since 2013 since 2017

Florian Post, , , SPD SPD SPD Business administrator, Master electrician in Business administrator, b. 27 May 1981 the energy industry, b. 4 Oct. 1968 in Neustadt b. 24 Dec. 1962 in Castrop-Rauxel; a.d. Waldnaab; in Düsseldorf; married; one child. unmarried. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2013 since 2013 since 2013

18 , SPD SPD spokesman on the Committee, SPD spokesman on economic affairs and , energy SPD Markus Töns, Trade union secretary, Public administration SPD chemical laboratory specialist, Political scientist, technician, b. 9 Dec. 1967 b. 1 Jan. 1964 b. 30 Sep. 1960 in Emden; in Gelsenkirchen; in Hildesheim; married; five children. three children. married; three children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2013 since 2017 since 2013

Professor Heiko Heßenkemper, AfD AfD spokesman on the Committee, AfD spokesman on , economic affairs and Leif-Erik Holm, AfD energy AfD Self-employed painter, Physicist, Economist, b. 14 Apr. 1975 b. 11 Jan. 1956 b. 1 Aug. 1970 in Weißwasser; in Hamm; in Schwerin; married; three children. married; three children. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2017 since 2017

19 Hansjörg Müller, AfD , Steffen Kotré, Economist, AfD AfD self-employed interim Lawyer, Industrial engineer, manager, b. 6 Aug. 1968 b. 29 Apr. 1971 b. 30 Apr. 1968 in ; in Berlin; in Treuchtlingen; married; four children. married; one child. married; three children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2017 since 2017

Professor , , FDP FDP FDP spokesman on FDP spokesman on economic affairs and economic affairs and Thomas L. Kemmerich, energy energy FDP Mechanical engineer, Entrepreneur, Lawyer, entrepreneur, b. 27 Jan. 1956 b. 29 Apr. 1960 b. 20 Feb. 1965 in Vetschau; in Bensberg; in Aachen; widowed; two children. married; two children. married; six children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member from 2009 to 2013 since 2017 since 2017 and since 2017

20 , , FDP FDP FDP spokeswoman on Lorenz Gösta Beutin, Master electrician, the Committee The Left Party b. 8 Dec. 1950 Business administrator, Historian, in ; b. 8 Sep. 1969 b. 18 July 1978 married; one child. in Siegen; in Hamburg; Bundestag Member married; two children. unmarried. from 2012 to 2013 Bundestag Member Bundestag Member and since 2017 since 2017 since 2017

Thomas Lutze, The Left Party , The Left Party spokes- The Left Party man on economic , The Left Party spokes- affairs and energy The Left Party man on the Committee Mechanical engineer, Political scientist, Trade union secretary, b. 23 Aug. 1969 b. 7 Mar. 1975 b. 11 Feb. 1971 in Elsterwerda; in Saarbrücken; in Kusel; married; one child. unmarried. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2009 since 2017 since 2005

21 , Alliance 90/The Greens Alliance 90/The Greens spokeswoman on the Committee, Alliance 90/The Greens spokeswoman on economic affairs and Katharina Dröge, energy Alliance 90/The Greens Economist, Economist, b. 21 Oct. 1968 b. 16 Sep. 1984 in Schramberg; in Münster; married; three children. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2002 since 2013

Dr , Dr , , Alliance 90/The Greens Alliance 90/The Greens Alliance 90/The Greens Industrial engineer, Environmental Political scientist, b. 22 Dec. 1977 scientist, b. 25 May 1976 in Schwäbisch Gmünd; b. 18 Jan. 1979 in Pirmasens; married; two children. in Bergisch Gladbach; married; three children. Bundestag Member married. Bundestag Member from 2009 to 2012 Bundestag Member since 2013 and since 2017 since 2013

22 23 Information online

The Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy www.bundestag.de/en/committees/a09

24 Contact details for the Committee Secretariat

Deutscher Bundestag Ausschuss für Wirtschaft und Energie Platz der Republik 1 11011 Berlin Tel.: +49 30 227-37708 Fax: +49 30 227-36708 Email: [email protected]

25 Published by: German Bundestag, Public Relations Division Coordination: Robert Schönbrodt Texts: Georgia Rauer; revised by: Committees Directorate (p. 4 – 5), Secretariat of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy (p. 6 – 25) Edited by: Marianne Wollenweber Translated by: Language Service of the German Bundestag, in cooperation with Emma Hardie Design: Marc Mendelson Bundestag eagle: Created by Professor Ludwig Gies, revised in 2008 by büro uebele Photos: p. 2 Deutscher Bundestag (DBT) / Linus Lintner Fotografie; p. 8–9, 10, 11, 12–13, 23 DBT / Marc-Steffen Unger; p. 27 DBT / studio kohlmeier Portrait photos: p. 3, 14 DBT / Thomas Trutschel / photothek (Klaus Ernst); p. 14 Laurence Chaperon (Matthias Heider); p. 15 Peter Bleser / Jan Kopetzky (Peter Bleser); Hansjörg Durz / Daniel Biskup (Hansjörg Durz); Astrid Grotelüschen / Bernd Lammel (Astrid Grotelüschen); DBT / Julia Nowak (Mark Hauptmann); Mark Helfrich / Steven Vangermain (Mark Helfrich); / Sigi Schritt (Axel Knoerig); p. 16 DBT / Julia Nowak (Jens Koeppen); DBT / Simone M. Neumann (Andreas G. Lämmel); Andreas Lenz / André Wahba (Andreas Lenz); DBT / Inga Haar (); Tobias Koch (Jan Metzler); Carsten Müller / Laurence Chaperon (Carsten Müller); p. 17 DBT / Thomas Trutschel / photothek (Joachim Pfeiffer); DBT / Stella von Saldern (Stefan Rouenhoff); Peter Stein / Tobias Koch (Peter Stein); Klaus- Peter Willsch / Jan Kopetzky (Klaus-Peter Willsch); DBT / Thomas Köhler / photothek (Ulrich Freese); SPD party executive / Susie Knoll (Timon Grem- mels); p. 18 SPD party executive / Benno Kraehahn (Frank Junge); Die Hof- fotografen GmbH Berlin (Gabriele Katzmarek); SPD party executive / Susie Knoll (Falko Mohrs); SPD party executive / Benno Kraehahn (Sabine Posch- mann); / Mark Fernandes (Florian Post); SPD party executive / Benno Kraehahn (Andreas Rimkus); p. 19 SPD party executive / Benno Kraehahn (Johann Saathoff); SPD party executive / Benno Kraehahn (Markus Töns); SPD party executive / Benno Kraehahn (Bernd Westphal); DBT / Achim Melde (Tino Chrupalla); DBT / Julia Nowak (Heiko Heßen- kemper); Leif-Erik Holm / Studioline Photography (Leif-Erik Holm); p. 20 DBT / Achim Melde (Enrico Komning); DBT / Inga Haar (Steffen Kotré); DBT / Julia Nowak (Hansjörg Müller); Reinhard Houben / North Rhine-West- phalia branch of the FDP / Sascha Menge (Reinhard Houben); Thomas L. Kemmerich / Guido Werner (Thomas L. Kemmerich); DBT / Achim Melde (Martin Neumann); p. 21 Manfred Todtenhausen / Laurence Chaperon (Man- fred Todtenhausen); DBT / Thomas Trutschel / photothek (Sandra Weeser); Lorenz Gösta Beutin / Peter Werner / Kieler Arbeiterfotografen (Lorenz Gösta Beutin); DBT / Simone M. Neumann (); DBT / Inga Haar (Pascal Meiser); DBT / Thomas Köhler / photothek (Alexander Ulrich); p. 22 DBT / Thomas Trutschel / photothek (Kerstin Andreae); Katharina Dröge / Cornelis Gollhardt (Katharina Dröge); DBT / Thomas Trutschel / photothek (Dieter Janecek); DBT / Inga Haar (Ingrid Nestle); DBT / Inga Haar (Julia Verlinden) Graphic: p. 7 Marc Mendelson Printed by: Druckhaus Waiblingen Remstal-Bote GmbH As at: July 2018 © Deutscher Bundestag, Berlin All rights reserved. This publication has been produced as part of the German Bundestag’s public relations activities. It is provided free of charge and is not intended for sale. It may not be used for election campaign purposes or utilised by parties or parliamentary groups in their own public relations activities. 27 The German Bundestag takes decisions on what are at times highly complex and controversial bills and parliamentary initiatives relating to the entire spectrum of policy fields. The committees play a central role in parliamentary deliberations. They are the forum where the Members thrash out compromises and draw on expert advice before submitting their reports and recommen­dations for decisions to be voted on by the Bundestag as a whole. www.bundestag.de/en/committees