Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) makes the Freiburg economist Lars Feld his chief economist.

The FDP politician appointed him "Personal Representative of the Federal Minister of Finance for overall economic development".

This was announced at the weekend from circles in the ministry.

In his new role, Feld will support the FDP politician in evaluating macroeconomic issues.

Manfred Schaefers

Business correspondent in Berlin.

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The economist from Freiburg was a member of the Council of Experts for the Assessment of Overall Economic Development for ten years, most recently as its chairman.

At the end of February 2021 he involuntarily left the board.

A hanging game preceded it.

Feld would have liked to continue, the Union was for it, Olaf Scholz (SPD), then Minister of Finance and now Chancellor, prevented this.

Feld will not be employed by the ministry, but will remain independent as a scientist and professor at the University of Freiburg.

A week ago, he announced that he would not be moving to the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna, but would continue to work at the University of Freiburg and at the Walter Eucken Institute.

His rejection in Austria had fueled speculation as to whether he was speculating on a post in the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The FAZ said Feld eight days ago that he enjoys the freedom and independence of being a professor who does not have to speak on behalf of a ministry.

Now he can combine both: advising politics with free research.

Apply the principles of the social market economy

Lindner appreciates Feld because of his fundamental ordoliberal convictions and as a fighter for solid state finances.

The scientist not only advocates reducing the share of government debt in economic output to the upper limit of 60 percent specified in the Maastricht Treaty to protect the euro (currently it is between 70 and 75 percent), but also advocates a further reduction in the so-called debt ratio, to gain air for future crises.

The director of the Walter Eucken Institute has often advised FDP committees.

Conversely, Feld had invited Lindner to hold the traditional Walter Eucken lecture.

The two regularly exchanged views on current financial policy issues.

Lindner should also like the fact that Feld stands for a supply-oriented economic policy.

That is, the economist pays attention to whether the general conditions are such that it is worthwhile for entrepreneurs to invest in new machines and plants, for craftsmen to work off additional orders at the weekend, for employees to work overtime is interesting.

Baerbock recently brought in Greenpeace boss

Lindner sees his house in the new federal government in the key role of enforcing the principles of the social market economy, it was said about his decision.

It is important to support the recovery of the economy with clearly market-based impulses.

A functioning market economy is the best contribution that politics can make to create incentives for urgently needed investments and innovations.

This should also be an unspoken sign in the direction of the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Greens.

The head of department there, Robert Habeck, wants to shape the restructuring of the German economy not least with the help of the funds from the energy and climate fund.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently brought Greenpeace boss Jennifer Morgan to her side.

In the future, she will take care of international climate policy as Minister of State in the Federal Foreign Office.

Scholz's chief economist was Jakob von Weizsäcker.

The economist continues to head the department for policy issues and international economic policy in the Ministry of Finance.

The SPD member was a member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2019.

It can be assumed that Weizsäcker is now looking for a new job.