SPD economist advocating for self-autonomy in financial analysis
Jens Südekum, the Economics Guru Sashaying Back on the Public Stage
Stepping into the limelight once more, the renowned economics professor Jens Südekum has captured headlines as the personal advisor to Germany's Federal Minister of Finance, Lars Klingbeil (SPD). And here's the lowdown on the latest stir he's causing!
Südekum, a professor at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf with a focus on international economics, has proposed a game-changer in labor laws - employees aged 65 should enjoy the same dismissal protection as their 45-year-old counterparts. Companies allegedly shy away from hiring older individuals, fearing potential difficulties in letting them go later on. Yet, Südekum with his knack for digitalization and climate neutrality advocates for more employment flexibility, a move that's generating criticism. The DGB warns against creating a "second-class labor law" for retirees and a free pass for employers.
Remember Südekum from his talk-show tirades against the former liberal finance minister, Christian Lindner (FDP)? He bashed Lindner's adherence to the debt brake as a barrier to essential investments. Lindner countered by vetoing Südekum's appointment to the Council of Economic Experts. Claiming a hankering for independence, Südekum demurred a direct switch to the now SPD-led ministry and instead, proposed himself as the new Lars Feld. You know, the man Lindner appointed as his personal rep with a direct hotline to the minister. Klingbeil hails Südekum as "one of the architects" of the 500-billion-euro fund and, yep, Südekum is an SPD member.
Interestingly, Südekum suggests allowing fixed-term contracts for those eligible for retirement, a measure that was initially proposed but not enacted due to the fall of the previous coalition. He believes that by loosening the dismissal protections, employers would have more incentive to retain older staff, who are sometimes overlooked or reluctantly rehired due to dismissal concerns[2][3]. However, the DGB strongly opposes this viewpoint, fearing it might lead to a disadvantaged labor law for pensioners[1][2].
- Jens Südekum's recent proposal in policy-and-legislation, advocating for equal dismissal protection for employees aged 65, has caused a stir in business circles, with some fearing it could lead to a 'second-class labor law' for retirees.
- In the realm of politics, Südekum's return to the public stage as the personal advisor to Germany's Federal Minister of Finance, Lars Klingbeil (SPD), is generating headlines, particularly because of his pro-digitalization and climate neutrality stance in the finance sector.
- The general-news buzz surrounding Südekum includes his past disagreements with former finance minister Christian Lindner (FDP) over fiscal policies, such as the debt brake, and his unique proposal for fixed-term contracts for eligible retirees, a move that resonates with the current business climate and recent discussions on labor laws.
