The German federal government is expected to name a successor for economist Ulrike Malmendier on Wednesday. According to the “FAZ” citing informed sources, a candidate has already accepted the offer and the personal details are currently under inter‑departmental discussion.
The CDU‑controlled Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Chancellery had insisted on appointing a trade economist to the council of five members. Gabriel Felbermayr – former president of the Institute for World Economy in Kiel – fits that profile and is believed to be the CDU’s preferred candidate. Felbermayr did not comment on a possible appointment in recent days, and neither the Federal Ministry of Finance nor the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs provided comment.
Malmendier’s term expired at the end of February, and she was not re‑appointed for a second term, a move that surprised many. Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, both CDU members, allegedly pushed for the change in the independent council.
In a public statement to the “FAZ”, Malmendier said she had been “very surprised by this news” and that she had received no negative feedback from the government up to that point. “On Saturday, my last day, Ms Reiche called me” she added.