analysis
One against four: The economists argue about climate-neutral transport, Veronika Grimm opts out. Does she have a conflict of interest because she also sits on the supervisory board of Siemens Energy?
It is not without a certain irony that precisely when presenting a report from the Economic Advisory Council, a rather sober factual matter, one notices a highly emotional and poisonous atmosphere that one rarely experiences at the federal press conference. The main issue is not the economy, but four against one or one against four, as you see it.
To the outside world, the five economists try to keep up the facade, but on the one hand there is the clearly tense Veronika Grimm, then there is the mutual disrespect between the two economists Monika Schnitzer and Grimm and, above all, many argumentative points and diametrical arguments, whereby those involved do not agree let’s agree how close or far away they actually are in terms of content.
Grimm opts out when it comes to hydrogen
But what is it about? The economists have prepared a report on how freight transport can be made climate-neutral. As an independent body that advises the federal government on economic issues, they call on politicians to tackle the development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure for electric trucks.
Only not all economists see it that way, only four in front of you: Ulrike Malmendier, Monika Schnitzer, Achim Truger and Martin Werding. Veronika Grimm has a different opinion: She believes that focusing only on electric motors is wrong. Technologies such as hydrogen-powered fuel cells also need to be further promoted.
Grimm’s double role: Is there one Conflict of interest?
First of all, it is not unusual for an economy to have a minority opinion. And you can certainly see this positively in the sense of plural, multi-perspective economics. However, Grimm’s minority opinion brings an old controversial issue in the Advisory Council back into focus: the dual role of Veronika Grimm through her appointment to the supervisory board of Siemens Energy. Because Siemens Energy also sees its future in hydrogen.
So the question inevitably arises: Was Grimm’s plea for hydrogen-powered fuel cells driven by interests? In an interview with the ARD capital studio Grimm vehemently denies this. “No, I don’t see any conflict of interest there,” she says and explains that the first thing is to present the study situation. She cites over 40 studies and classifies them with factual arguments.
Feud between Grimm and Schnitzer
And when asked whether – apart from a possible conflict of interest with its dual role – it damages the reputation of the economists in one way or another, Grimm replies: “The reputation of the Council of Experts is in danger if these leaks are repeatedly leaked from the committee, also with accusations against members of the Advisory Council. This is very unfortunate.”
The attack was most likely aimed at Monika Schnitzer. There has long been a personal feud between the two economies. Schnitzer had already publicly criticized Grimm’s dual role in an interview with ARD capital studio she said cautiously. On the question of a possible conflict of interest, she simply says: “It’s in the eye of the beholder.”
This is what the “economists” do
The Advisory Council for the assessment of overall economic development is intended to advise politicians on economic issues. The members are independent experts. According to the Federal Government’s proposal, the Federal President appoints them for five years – reappointments are possible.
The members regularly prepare reports on the economic situation in Germany. These also contain forecasts and are intended to highlight undesirable economic developments. Every November, the “Wirtschaftsweise” publishes a comprehensive annual report. There are also special reports and expertise on selected topics.
Council of Experts wants compliance code
Veronika Grimm’s dual role is not legally objectionable. Nevertheless, the economists recently announced that they wanted to develop a compliance code for the Advisory Council.
At the press conference on the freight transport report, it became clear that this was not the case. After this press conference one wonders how the five economists will come to a unified opinion.