Delles presented the government's priorities for the new ministry dedicated to smaller companies. Whilst there was not a large amount of criticism from the commission, this was partly due to the fact that the commission did not have enough time to discuss everything on the agenda.
The CSV MP Felix Eischen explained after the meeting that MPs should give the minister a chance to prove himself. It is difficult to discuss everything in one singular meeting, but MPs were still burning to discuss one issue in particular: the development of activity zones.
Eischen explained that there were a number of empty buildings that were being filled, which was okay. However, he explained that it is not enough to fill empty buildings with companies, as this would not necessarily correspond to the demand for this type of company. He hopes that Delles will lobby as strongly for SMEs as Etienne Schneider has for larger companies.
Delles described himself as a type of mediator between all relevant ministries. He also expressed his ambition to meet with people in the sector to find better solutions, citing the issue of flexible opening hours. A court recently ruled that the law must be reformed in this regard.
A crucial aspect in meeting with small business owners is to ensure that work does not detrimentally affect a healthy private life. Pirate Party MP Sven Clement is especially conscious of this issue, stating that flexible opening hours for SMEs should come with a guarantee that small businesses do so on a willing basis.
At the current time, there is not much concrete work that the minister has presented. MPs only hope that Delles' words will be followed with actions.
