Wishing you a happy 2025!

Dear business partners, colleagues, and friends,

at the end of October, Christian Lindner, the Federal Minister of Finance at the time, presented the Free Democrats’ declaration of independence, a memo entitled ‘Wirtschaftswende Deutschland’, i.e. ‘economic turn-around for Germany’.

The ensuing discussion was mainly about tactics: Will the memo end the traffic light coalition? And which party would benefit?

This preference for drama over substance is unfortunate. In its 18 pages, the memo contains a scathing indictment of the over-regulation favoured by the dominant forces of the coalition, a spirited endorsement of the small state, and a set of 19 policies for economic growth – based on sound economics, entrepreneurship and the principle of individual self-reliance.

If you haven’t read it yet, whether you have tickets for Bayern Munich or the Elbphilharmonie: skip both, stay at home and study the memo. It’s a great read. I guarantee instant invigoration.

As we know, the traffic light coalition did end shortly afterwards – and on Feb 23 we will elect a new parliament for this country. This is good. A new beginning is needed.

At the same time, the election will not fix everything: A real pro-growth majority will be hard to come by. And many doubt that Friedrich Merz – the leader most likely to face this task – will have the determination to apply the needed remedies. It may even take a deepening of the crisis before the precepts of ‘Wirtschaftswende Deutschland’ can take hold.

But either way, 23 February is our chance to elect those representatives who best represent the ideas of political liberty and free enterprise; or, if we are not happy with the political personnel on offer, the signal to become politically active ourselves. It’s up to us.

Before I close, I’d like to thank my clients for their trust. Business has been good and I have again met owners, leaders and team members with whom it has been a joy to work. It’s been an honour and a pleasure to serve you through tough times and critical junctures.

Finally, to all of you, your loved ones, friends and neighbours: A happy, healthy and prosperous 2025 – full of new beginnings!

Kind regards,

Dietmar

LUCILIUS INTERIM
Dr Dietmar Scheja
Financial Leadership

Punta Arenas, Jan 14, 2025