Veronika Grimm of Wirtschaftsweise has criticized warnings regarding the potential impact of an AfD victory in the upcoming Eastern German state elections. Speaking to the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger,” the member of the Expert Council for Economy stated that she does not subscribe to the “Cassandra calls” suggesting that the AfD coming into government would impede growth. She argued that what is truly necessary are concrete reforms, which she insists is the only way to return to a growth trajectory. Furthermore, she warned that continuously cautioning against the AfD without consistently pushing forward reforms only serves to strengthen that party.
The Nürnberg-based economist stressed that Germany has “house-made problems, and it is high time to address them.” She emphasized that the key factor is establishing the necessary frameworks to generate growth through technological advancement.
Grimm detailed three specific areas for improvement. First, she called for strengthening the education system to ensure Germany can compete in high-tech fields. Second, she advocated for deregulation. She lamented that Germany cannot compete in areas such as genetic engineering and artificial intelligence because the application of these technologies is far more restricted than in other nations. Finally, she highlighted labor law reform. The Wirtschaftsweise believes high-tech companies require flexibility in the labor market rather than overly restrictive rules regarding termination protection. To illustrate her points, she cited Denmark and Switzerland as successful models.
