Christian Sewing, the chief executive of Deutsche Bank, said in an interview with “Welt am Sonntag” that office workers should be allowed to stay in the labour market longer. “In desk jobs, we need to discuss extending the working life” he explained, adding that the German society as a whole should work more.
He called for a review of dismissal protections for higher‑earning employees, arguing that the existing limits might not be sensible. He also urged the government to look into the high number of sick days in Germany – on average, two to three times the figure seen in Switzerland – and to address this issue.
Sewing stressed that rapid reforms are essential if Germany wishes to maintain a competitive stance in upcoming elections. “If people see that problems are being solved and that more ends up in their wallets, the tilt toward nationalism can be averted” he said. “But we must be honest: to achieve this, we have to adapt and be prepared to endure pain over the next three to five years”.
He warned that a first AfD‑aligned minister‑premier emerging from the autumn state elections could send a negative signal to international investors. “If this is part of a broader movement that could block Germany, perhaps via the Bundesrat, it would be disastrous” Sewing said. “Germany cannot afford that, which is why we need honest debates about the country’s future now”.
In September 2026, state parliaments will be elected in Saxony‑Anhalt and Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania; in both states the AfD currently leads the polls.
