Germany’s Green Party is riding high in voter surveys and appears poised to become a significant political force in the nation, with federal elections scheduled for September. And, while political commentators and politicians are preoccupied with the election campaign, corporate executives are keeping a close eye on events in Berlin. Joe Kaeser, the former CEO of engineering behemoth Siemens, is one such leader, telling CNBC that the Green Party’s growth is an “interesting thing to observe.” According to surveys, the Greens, led by their candidate Annalena Baerbock, are poised to form the next coalition government. Recent surveys even placed the party ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling conservative combination of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union, though the so-called “Green bounce” has diminished considerably.
According to Politico’s survey of polls, the Greens and the CDU-CSU are now tied at 25% of the vote each, with the Social Democratic Party trailing with 15%. Carsten Nickel and Luis Cornago, deputy director research and senior associate, respectively, at Teneo Intelligence, noted in a note Wednesday that “the party is approaching the election campaign from a position of “unprecedented strength.” They said that the party is “rapidly emerging as the new moderate actor in German party politics, and will most likely be part of the next federal government.” Kaeser, who left Siemens in February and now chairs Siemens Energy, said it is “to be seen” what influence the Greens would have on Germany’s economy and industry, but he is “very intrigued and (to see) how it works.” “They think there’s an opportunity for a fresh start here, which we shouldn’t pass up,” he told CNBC.
He stated that whatever the next government is, “they need to be really, really quick” in establishing a policy framework that German industry can adhere to. “They will be able to perform if the sector is given a very clear structure and is pushed toward something that society believes is important” (it). “Because, as we all know, not everyone can win, there may be some repercussions and consolidation. But it is the nature of survival, since the survivors will emerge stronger,” he explained.
Merkel has a lot of ‘large shoes’ to fill
There is clearly apprehension in German industry and politics, as both prepare for Merkel’s exit after 16 years as chancellor. Kaeser stated that he had always admired Merkel and that she was “obviously a good for Germany all around the world.” “She undoubtedly leaves enormous shoes to fill. So we’ll have to wait and see.” Kaeser went on to say that he was not thrilled with the CDU-attitude CSU’s to succession. Merkel declared in 2018, that she would not run for a fifth term, and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer was named CDU leader. She was viewed as Merkel’s possible successor, but she stepped down in early 2020 following repeated gaffes and failing to unite the party. Until April of this year, neither party could settle on a candidate for chancellor in September’s election, however Armin Laschet, the CDU’s leader and state-premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, was finally nominated as the candidate.
