The Council of Economic Wise Men is moving from Wiesbaden to Berlin – and its main location is moving closer to politics. The Advisory Council for Economic Affairs announced that part of the scientific staff should be working at the new location in Berlin-Mitte from the middle of next year. The meetings of the five economies, as the council members are called, will also take place there in the future. This decision was made in close coordination with the Federal Statistical Office and the Federal Government, which advises the committee on economic issues. “With the greater proximity to thematic debates and the opportunity for personal exchange, not only the council members benefit, but above all the economists on the scientific staff,” said council chairwoman Monika Schnitzer, explaining the decision. The committee also includes Veronika Grimm, Ulrike Malmendier, Achim Truger and Martin Werding.
The Advisory Council was founded around 60 years ago. At that time, the spatial connection to the Federal Statistical Office and the data available there were crucial for choosing the headquarters in Wiesbaden. The Advisory Council hopes that the change of location will give it the opportunity to become even more involved as a “critical and constructive advisory body”. The Council’s analyzes and proposals for dealing with the recent crises have shown that it is a sought-after discussion partner for politicians. The connection to the capital city office of the Federal Statistical Office ensures the long-standing connection and preserves the political independence of the Advisory Council.