# German domestic policy and economic reform debates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-domestic-policy-and-economic-reform-debates > Updated: 2026-10-04T11:33:36.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2. In late September 2026, Monika Schnitzer, chair of the German Council of Economic Experts, voiced support for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s economic reform course. Schnitzer argued that reforms should not be abandoned due to specific election results in Berlin or Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. She specifically cautioned against fuel price caps, suggesting they could lead to either price increases in East Germany or supply shortages. By early October, the political focus shifted toward healthcare and housing. Chancellor Merz addressed disparities between statutory and private health insurance, though the government confirmed the dual system would persist. Additionally, Merz moved to implement a federal ban on the expropriation of large private housing stocks. This initiative, supported by the Union and SPD, aims to prevent federal states from using Article 15 of the Basic Law to socialize real estate, countering pressure from the Left Party in Berlin. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-04: Friedrich Merz addresses healthcare inequality and housing expropriation Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses healthcare disparities between statutory and private insurance and plans a federal ban on the expropriation of large private housing stocks in Germany. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/friedrich-merz-addresses-healthcare-inequality-and-housing-expropriation ### 2026-09-22: Monika Schnitzer supports Merz’s economic reform course Economist Monika Schnitzer supports Merz’s reform course and warns that fuel price caps and real estate expropriation plans could lead to economic instability and high costs. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/monika-schnitzer-supports-merzs-economic-reform-course --- Cite as: German domestic policy and economic reform debates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-domestic-policy-and-economic-reform-debates