Thomas Buberl, the CEO of the French insurance group AXA, believes the German economy is undergoing a profound transformation. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt”, Buberl stated that the German economy is currently in a “decadent phase,” asserting that the driving forces behind the past 40 years of economic growth have collapsed. He referred to the electoral success of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt as a “shock” but urged a deeper questioning of its causes, noting that many people feel politics is failing to address their core concerns, an issue he suggested should prompt self-reflection.
Despite his critical view of the current state, Buberl sees a historical opportunity in the federal government’s planned investments. “Germany now has a unique chance to reinvent itself through these investments,” he commented. Regarding healthcare policy and prevention initiatives, the AXA chief criticized the government’s approach, saying the state aims to incentivize preventative care but simultaneously benefits unhealthy eating habits through tax breaks. He concluded sharply, “You cannot preach prevention while subsidizing fries.”
