Business associations, as well as conservative and liberal politicians, usually complain that they are being restricted by EU law in the area of labor and social affairs. Too strict requirements, more bureaucracy, and so on – you know the drill. But now, of all things, an EU law is the focus of the social section of the CDU and SPD’s exploratory paper. It is the EU Working Time Directive, as the basis for more flexibility. Some would also say: longer working hours.