Joint call
CEOs call for political changes shortly before the federal election
The bosses of Deutsche Bank, Siemens and Mercedes-Benz are campaigning for an open Germany in a joint call. They also demand a completely new economic policy.
The CEO of Deutsche Bank, Siemens and Mercedes-Benz spoke up in the recently tightened migration debate. They called for openness to immigration from specialists and advocated a fundamentally new economic policy in Germany.
Siemens boss Roland Busch warned of the Bundestag election on February 23 of a “massive increase in xenophobic positions”: “The Bundestag election must not be a protest.” Without stable democracy there is no prosperity and no growth.
Siemens boss: Middle parties have to pull together
Busch spoke out for an open society and warned of polarization in politics. The immigration field is too complex. “The parties in the middle have to pull together and sit down.”
Germany needs more work and specialists, said Busch. Above all, however, people would have to be “extremely fast”, said the Siemens boss. “We have people from all over the world who work with us. We appreciate that very much.”
Mercedes boss: “Need the best heads”
Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Källenius complained about a growing shortage of skilled workers. In the debate about immigration, however, topics would be mixed. “Illegal immigration is not the same as to win specialists for the country. We need the best heads for growth.”
In economic policy, Källenius spoke out against the background of threatening customs conflicts for free trade. An “inventory for bureaucracy” in Europe is also necessary, regulations should be put to the test. Industry needs competitive energy prices.
Siemens boss Busch commented similarly. He called for a moratorium for European regulation. In contrast, targeted support for the market launch of technologies such as artificial intelligence and massive investments in the infrastructure is needed. In schools, scientific-mathematical subjects would have to be promoted more and German universities would be even better with computer science.
Deutsche Bank boss: Europe must appear united
Deutsche Bank boss Christian Sewing also called for a stronger Europe with a view to re-election from US President Donald Trump. Among other things, a harmonized European internal market for capital and products is necessary. The EU with around 450 million inhabitants must appear united. In addition, a reduction in bureaucracy is needed.
The call was created as part of the “We stand for values” initiative, an economic alliance of almost 40 large German companies and organizations, which was founded at the 2024 European election. The corporations, which also include Volkswagen, BMW, BASF and Alliance, are committed to “diversity, openness and tolerance”.
dpa
Source: Stern
