CEOs for Berlin meet Prof. Lars-Hendrik Röller, Ph.D.

Text: Jörg Ritter | Coordinator CEOs for Berlin

Almost 40 CEOs came to the Hugos Restaurant at the Hotel InterContinental Berlin on February 27 to listen to Chancellor Angela Merkel's economic policy advisor and sherpa for the G7 and G20 summits.

Röller, who studied in the USA and held and still holds professorships at Humboldt University, INSEAD and ESMT Berlin, of which he was President from 2006-2011, gave an overview of the current challenging geopolitical developments in his introductory lecture. His comments on the consequences of the new Trump administration's previous decisions and political convictions for necessary changes in Europe and Germany were particularly exciting.

In the discussion on many issues of interest to the CEOs, it also became clear that we can no longer rely on almost automatic American support in security, economic and trade issues and that European values do not always coincide with those of America! Is this good or bad for us? And what exactly does this mean for Europe and Germany? After just a few weeks and almost 100 decrees signed by US President Donald Trump, the disruptive way in which the Trump administration is governing shows how important and essential it is for us not only to show strength in all areas, but also to have it. The very fact of how the USA is dealing with President Putin on the one hand and President Zelensky on the other showed in the discussion that we as Europeans and Germans must do everything we can to support Ukraine and make it clear again and again who invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 in violation of international law!

As far as Germany is concerned, it became clear in the discussion that we need to take extraordinary measures and decisions quickly in the areas of security and defense as well as the economy and infrastructure in order to restore our defense capability and to be able to reduce taxes and pay off debts through a growing economy. It was also discussed - in anticipation of the current developments in the exploratory talks between the CDU/CSU and SPD - whether only a special fund of historic proportions and/or a reform of the debt brake, including the associated changes to the Basic Law, should be considered. There was agreement that Germany immediately needs a strong government that acts primarily in the interests of our country and Europe and does not delay or prevent necessary decision-making processes through party tactics. It was and remains clear to everyone that evening that we are facing a turning point in the global and European context that is not comparable to the one communicated by Chancellor Scholz in 2022.

The new format conceived by Prof. Röller two years ago and organized at ESMT Berlin, the BERLIN GLOBAL DIALOGUE offers an excellent opportunity to turn Berlin into a place of new global perspectives and solutions and to intensify the international dialog between politics and business!