Germany's minister for economy and labor, Wolfgang Clement, has defended government plans to loosen the country's strict hiring and firing laws from massive criticism from German politicians. In an interview on Monday with a German TV station, Clement denied that the reforms would change German labor laws beyond recognition. The Social Democrat maintained that the changes would make the labor market more flexible, “so more people can get in.”

Clement's plans came under fire from leading Social Democratic (SPD) and Green Party members. Transport Minister Manfred Stolpe (SPD) criticized the proposed changes, alleging that an “easing of labor laws would not equal the creation of more jobs."