Day of Progressive Economic Policy 2025

Welcome

Welcome remarks by Martin Schulz, Chairman of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

Moderation: Jens Tönnesmann, DIE ZEIT and Maike Rademaker, Freelance Journalist

In dialogue

Future prospects for Europe and Germany: a question of competitiveness?

with Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Italian Prime Minister

Opening panel

The German and European economic model at a crossroads: How can we achieve a progressive economic turnaround?

with

• Yasmin Fahimi, Chairwomen of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB)
• Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Italian Prime Minister
• Maria João Rodrigues, President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)

Debate

Decent work and social security: Does Germany need comprehensive welfare reform?

• Frank Werneke, Chaiman of the United Services Trade Union (ver.di)
• Marie-Christine Ostermann, President of DIE FAMILIENUNTERNEHMER e.V.

Start of the parallel forums:

Forum I: Fiscal policy at a turning point? Priorities for a progressive spending agenda and tax policy

Livestream

• Martyna Berenika Linartas, Co-founder of ungleichheit.info
• Michael Schrodi, MP, spokesperson on financial policy for the parliamentary group of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)
• Prof Dr Achim Truger, Member of the German Council of Economic Experts
• Dr Monika Wünnemann, Head of the Tax and Financial Policy Department, Federation of German Industries (BDI)

Moderation: Carl Mühlbach, Managing Director of Fiscal Future

Forum II: Ready for the next shock? Monetary and economic policy responses in times of uncertainty and transformation

• Sebastian Dullien, Research Director at The Macroeconomic Policy Institute (IMK)
• Eliza Lis, Adviser in Prices and Costs Division in the Directorate General Economics at the European Central Bank (ECB)
• Jens van ’t Klooster, Assistant Professor of Political Economy at the University of Amsterdam
• Manuel von Mettenheim, Policy Analyst at the Directorate-General Energy of the European Commission

Moderation: Anna Kolesnichenko, Economic Policy Analyst at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)

Forum III: Labour market under pressure? Instruments and responsibilities for a skill-securing labour market policy

• Prof Dr Ronald Bachmann, Head of the Competence Division Labour Markets, Education, Population RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research
• Dr Barbara Dorn, Head of the Education Department at the Confederation of German Employers' Associations
• Dr. Indira Dupuis, Head of Labour Transformation, IGBCE Labour and Environment Foundation
• Markus Müller, Head of the Department for Basic Aspects Related to Securing the Supply of Labour and Skills Development, Digital Transformation, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
• Barbara Susec, Department Health Care Sector, focus on Care Policy/Digitalisation in the Healthcare Sector at the United Services Trade Union (ver.di)

Moderation: Susan Javad, Desk Officer for Labour, Qualification and Co-Determination at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Start of the parallel forums:

Forum IV: The small green state? Private investment and the role of the state in the socio-ecological transformation

Livestream

• Katharina Beck, MP, spokesperson on financial policy for the parliamentary group of Alliance 90/The Greens
• Prof Dr Tom Krebs, Professor of Macroeconomics and Economic Policy at the University of Mannheim
• Dr Tanja Utescher-Dabitz, German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW)
• Rolf Wiegand, Head of the Federal Energy Industry Group at the United Services Trade Union (ver.di)

Moderation: Carmen Giovanazzi, Doctoral Candidate at the University of Duisburg-Essen

Forum V: Less is more? Functions and perspectives of a sustainable welfare state

• Dr Dina Frommert, Head of Research and Development at the German Pension Insurance Association
• Prof Dr Peter Haan, Professor of Empirical Economic Research at the Freie Universität Berlin and Head of the Government Department at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) Berlin
• Katja Kipping, Managing Director of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband ("Federation of Welfare Associations in Germany") and Head of the Social and European Policy Department

Moderation: Julia Bläsius, Head of Political Consulting Department at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Forum VI: Powerhouse East Germany? Between economic boom and structural challenges

• Stefan Körzell, Member of the Executive Federal Board of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB)
• Kathrin Michel, MP, Co-Chairwoman of SPD Saxony
• Robert Grundke, Head of the Country Desk for Germany and Latvia, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Moderation: Katja Müller, Head of HR Transformation at Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG)

Closing panel

Future prospects for Germany - Cornerstones of a progressive economic policy agenda

Keynote by

• Sebastian Dullien, Professor of Economics, Director of the Macronomic Policy Institute (IMK)

concluding discussion with

• Sebastian Dullien, Professor of Economics, Director of the Macronomic Policy Institute (IMK)
• Martyna Berenika Linartas, Co-founder of ungleichheit.info
• Carl Mühlbach, Managing Director of Fiscal Future
• Helene Schuberth, Federal Director for Policy Foundations and Advocacy at the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB)

Wrap-up and outlook

What do we take away from the #tpw25 for a progressive European vision in economic policy?

with Maria João Rodrigues, President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)

Coffee, cookies and economics: Continuation of the discussion in an informal setting