Report: Economist Malmendier could step down - Will Germany's top economic council lose Ulrike Malmendier next month?
Ulrike Malmendier's time on the German Council of Economic Experts is coming to an end. Her term officially concludes on 28 February, marking nearly four years of service since her appointment in 2022. The question now is whether she will continue in the role—or be replaced by someone new.
Malmendier, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, specialises in capital markets, corporate finance, and behavioural economics. Her work has contributed to the council's analysis of economic policy. However, reports from Handelsblatt suggest her reappointment is uncertain, with resistance emerging from parts of the administration.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs wants a quick resolution. While reappointments are allowed, they are not guaranteed. The council's current members include Monika Schnitzer (chair), Veronika Grimm, Achim Truger, Martin Werding, and the newly nominated Gabriel Felbermayr, who replaces Malmendier after his cabinet nomination on 4 March. Grimm's own term, set to end in spring 2027, is also reportedly not being extended. The government emphasises that the council's expertise must match pressing economic challenges. These include macroeconomic stability, trade policy, and fiscal management. A decision on Malmendier's future could come soon, though no official announcement has been made.
If Malmendier is not reappointed, her departure would mark the second major change to the council in recent months. Gabriel Felbermayr has already been confirmed as her successor. The final decision rests with the government, which must balance continuity with its strategic priorities.
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