Germany's Finance Minister is a Real Fun Guy

[sandgk]

Wants Germans to forego their holidays, and instead save for retirement.

And you wonder why accountants and actuaries have a rep as dull, boring folk.
Yahoo

Spend on pension not holiday, official says

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Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck, just back from his summer vacation, urged fellow Germans Thursday to give up their holidays and save the money for their retirement.
Germans will face rising healthcare and pension costs in the coming decades, Steinbrueck, who spent his holiday in Germany, told Hoerzu magazine. "That means if there is any doubt, we must abandon a holiday to provide for later," he said.
German politicians enjoy healthy pensions.
The Tourism Association said Steinbrueck's call made no sense as the industry was a strong pillar of the economy and generated tax revenue for the state.
"Perhaps (Steinbrueck) just needs a holiday, which would help him to recover and come back with better ideas," said Michael Buller, managing director of travel company lastminute.com in Germany.

So, he came up with this idea when he was having a well deserved rest, on holiday - how very well timed.

[Steve19]

Perhaps he means to curtail their holidays? I recently read that something like 60% of Germans leave the country on holiday every year. We have a lot of them come to Cape Town every year.