Adenauer worked with the economics minister Erhard to promote free enterprise, reduce regulation, strengthen the mark (the currency before the Euro), and promote economic "liberalism" especially in collaboration with the small but influential Free Democratic Party ('''FDP''')<ref>The term "liberalism" in Germany was then similar to "libertarianism" in the U.S.</ref> He did not oppose labor unions because he needed their support for his foreign policy. | Adenauer worked with the economics minister Erhard to promote free enterprise, reduce regulation, strengthen the mark (the currency before the Euro), and promote economic "liberalism" especially in collaboration with the small but influential Free Democratic Party ('''FDP''')<ref>The term "liberalism" in Germany was then similar to "libertarianism" in the U.S.</ref> He did not oppose labor unions because he needed their support for his foreign policy. |