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Mercedes CEO warns Germany's economic decline risks far-right shift

A decade of missteps threatens Germany's future. Without change, the CEO warns, the nation's economy—and its politics—could spiral.

The image shows an old map of Germany from the 19th century, depicting the political divisions of...
The image shows an old map of Germany from the 19th century, depicting the political divisions of the region. The map is printed on a paper with text at the top and bottom, providing further details about the region's political divisions.

Mercedes Boss Warns of Political Shift to the Right - Mercedes CEO warns Germany's economic decline risks far-right shift

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius has issued a stark warning about Germany’s economic decline. He highlighted long-standing issues that threaten the country’s future prosperity and stability. Källenius stated that Germany has been heading in the wrong economic direction for the past 10 to 15 years. He pointed to high labour costs as a major challenge for the national economy.

He also criticised a dwindling work ethic among Germans, though he defended part-time work in principle. His view was clear: the population as a whole must increase its productivity to reverse the trend.

Without significant change, he warned, Europe will keep losing economic strength. He called for a shift in industrial policy, pushing for market-based incentives and large-scale infrastructure investments. Källenius added that Germany must make entrepreneurship and investment attractive again to stop capital from leaving the country.

He also raised concerns about political consequences. If the economic situation fails to improve, he cautioned, Germany could see a dangerous shift to the right. Källenius’ remarks underline the urgency of economic reform in Germany. His proposals focus on policy changes, investment, and a renewed commitment to work. The warning reflects broader fears about Europe’s competitive position in the global economy.

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