**Germans to Government: Your Red Tape Promises Are Tied Up in Bureaucracy**

Most people and businesses in Germany report no reduction in bureaucracy. This comes despite clear promises from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government to cut red tape. Red tape refers to complex rules and paperwork that slow down processes. The government made reducing it a key goal. A new survey shows a majority of citizens and companies see no improvement. They say dealing with officials remains slow and complicated. The government claims it has started important reforms. These include a new "deregulation" law aimed at simplifying procedures. Critics argue the changes are not being felt by the public. They say the government's own bureaucratic processes are delaying the very reforms meant to reduce them. The continued frustration suggests a gap between political promises and real-world results. For now, Germans are still waiting for the paperwork on cutting paperwork to be finalized.