Catherwood LibraryILR School

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder will today meet for the last time with his government?s Hartz Commission before that group releases its final report on battling high unemployment and increasing labor market flexibility in mid-August (see WIT for July 2, 2002). Initially caught off guard by their loss of leadership on unemployment issues to the center-left governing coalition, Germany?s center-right has recently responded by endorsing the recommendations being considered by the commission, urging further measures and accusing the center-left of attempting to dilute the commission?s final report. Chancellor Schroder?s government and union officials have denied these accusations---pointing out that the commission was formed by Mr. Schroder in the first place, and that unions endorsed the commission?s work soon after its initial recommendations were leaked to the press.