Overview

• Jens Südekum took office on May 30 as macroeconomic adviser to Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil.
• He proposed easing dismissal protections for employees aged 65 to incentivize their continued employment.
• Südekum argued that longer life expectancy makes it necessary to extend the working life.
• He noted the coalition has agreed not to raise the standard retirement age and suggested adopting a stalled plan for reason-free fixed-term contracts for workers with pension claims.
• He expressed optimism about Germany’s economic outlook, citing lower energy prices, special-fund spending and planned business relief measures.