Germany Before The Election
Aki Watzke Speaks Plainly
On February 23rd, 2025, the Bundestag election will take place in Germany – an election of fundamental importance for Europe’s largest economy. Expectations of the new federal government are correspondingly high, especially in business. In the sold-out Airport Club at Frankfurt Airport, entrepreneurs and executives discussed with probably the most influential German football manager about topics that are of major importance.
If anyone is particularly good at assessing the current situation in Germany from different perspectives, it is Hans-Joachim “Aki” Watzke. The 65-year-old CEO of the Bundesliga soccer club Borussia Dortmund is also a successful entrepreneur, speaks to people from a wide variety of population groups for professional reasons and is well connected in federal politics.
“What Germany needs now is for politicians to deal with what is on people’s minds. For years, there was no talk about topics that were virulent in the society. That’s why the AfD is so strong, which we all regret. But you can’t say: for electoral reasons, we are leaving something out because it could cost us votes. Then at some point you will have a problem with democracy,” Watzke states, specifically addressing illegal migration.
There should never be room for racism and anti-semitism. However, it must now be recognized that the majority of Germans want a different policy than before. It is important that the next federal government “captures and depicts” the will of the voters. Otherwise, the following Bundestag election will be a nasty surprise – a so called “blue miracle“ in the best sense of the word.
Reduce bureaucracy, promote motivation
From a business perspective, the next legislative period is primarily about reducing bureaucracy. “We have to be prepared to tackle this in a massive and disruptive way. In many companies, half of the administration is spent on bureaucracy for filling out tables – that’s all madness and no economy that is in competition with others can withstand it,” warns Watzke. In addition, in Germany, even if it is unpopular, one must talk about willingness to perform. “It can’t be that you start working at the age of 30 and leave at 59.”
Arguing without getting personal
Watzke also lacks a real culture of debate. Unpleasant truths must be spoken and argued about. “If we address more and more clearly problems again, that would do us good. We have to learn again to argue hard and not to see dispute as something negative. Politicians must not look at it: can the problem, if we name it, at some point cost us votes,” said Watzke. It must be argued without getting personal. And ultimately, compromises are always necessary, as he has also experienced in football: “It’s best if no one is really satisfied in the end, but no one is really dissatisfied either.” It is possible to reach an agreement without changing the different interests.
Even though he is a long-time CDU member, he does not want to do any election advertising for his party or for anyone else. It is important that the parties talk to each other. He himself held many cross-party discussions and was convinced that the relationship with each other would return to normal after the election. He considers it crucial to stand by his convictions and to find a crystal-clear dividing line against any form of racism.
Board Journal – February 10th, 2025
