Siemens CEO Roland Busch has issued warnings regarding potential political developments, specifically expressing concern about the comprehensive impact of any possible involvement by the AfD party in government. He noted that the repercussions of such a scenario are not easily predicted, stating that the overall package of outcomes is worrying.
At the same time, Busch strongly urged the federal government to accelerate its economic reform agenda. He stressed that Germany urgently requires a push toward achieving 2 percent growth in its gross domestic product. Expressing visible disappointment with the current achievements, he questioned what specific measures had actually been implemented over the past year to support this target, suggesting that several crucial actions were still lacking. He remarked that it would be highly beneficial to see tangible structural changes put into place without being watered down by political compromises.
Busch also sharply criticized the current system for skilled labor immigration, demanding faster action. He argued that it is unacceptable for highly skilled individuals who wish to move to Germany to endure waiting periods of six, nine, or twelve months merely to obtain a visa, warning that this delay would inevitably cause them to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Addressing the overall need for action, Busch believes the urgency is clear to all players in the coalition. He cautioned that there is little time left to demonstrate progress and said that the focus must now shift to concrete decisions. He advised that this necessitates a brave approach, requiring the willingness to make choices that may not appeal to everyone.
In matters of international trade disputes, he called for a more confident diplomatic approach. He stressed that such issues are fundamentally political and must be solved with clever diplomacy, while also clearly asserting national strengths. Ultimately, he concluded that at some point, a definitive boundary-a red line-must be drawn.