Elections

CEOs Warn Germany Needs Urgent Turnaround From Next Government

Commerzbank, RWE and Bilfinger executives speak in Frankfurt
Europe’s largest economy prepares for snap election on Feb. 23

WATCH: Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp said she hopes a stable German government will lead to “a shift in sentiment” and more investments.Source: Bloomberg

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By Tom Mackenzie and Christoph Rauwald

February 6, 2025 at 9:29 AM UTC

Updated on

February 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM UTC

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German corporate leaders urged the next government to move rapidly to unlock investment and get Europe’s largest economy growing again.

The heads of Commerzbank AG, RWE AG and Bilfinger SE pointed to structural issues such as high energy costs and red tape that will need to be addressed after the Feb. 23 election. Threats by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on the European Union underscore the urgency to act on reforms.