#rp25 speaker Maurice Höfgen: Governing without financial worries

Long discussions, the break-up of the German coalition government but eventually a decision was made. Just a few days before the new federal government took office, the German national parliament, the Bundestag, decided to amend the constitution to reform the debt brake. Ultimately, the Bundesrat (the parliament of the federal states' governments) also agreed. How will the German state refinance the end of the debt brake? And what exactly is the money used for?  

For a long time, debt was considered taboo in German politics and the debt brake was considered a sanctuary. At #rp25, economist, author and Youtuber Maurice Höfgen talks about how the surprising reform came about – and why we urgently need to think and talk differently about government debt. 

Maurice Höfgen is an economist, author and YouTuber for “Geld für die Welt” (‘money for the world’) and “Jung & Naiv” (‘young & naive’). His latest book “Teuer” (‘Expensive’) was published by DTV-Verlag. On Social Media, he regularly discusses politics and the economy. 

The motto of re:publica 25 is ‘Generation XYZ’. What is your message for future generations with regard to the digital society?

Maurice Höfgen: “The future succeeds if you have invested in it in the past. Where would we be now if the savings frenzy and fax machine mentality hadn't slowed down digitalization?”