Anyone hoping for bold, wide-ranging reforms in Germany can expect to be disappointed. The eagerly awaited coalition agreement between the Social Democrats and their Green allies on government policy over the next four years goes little further than their vague election promises. Labour market reform? Well, as promised earlier, the government says it will implement the ideas of the Hartz commission in full; which, if it happens, is something, though not nearly as much as radicals think Germany needs. Other steps to job-creation? Er, um. Health-care reform? Oh yes, it's needed, but just what, after four years in office, Gerhard Schroeder's friends cannot or at least do not say. And much else-or rather, not much else.
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