Following the resignation of Finance Minister Christian Lindner and the subsequent dissolution of the governing coalition, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has appointed Joerg Kukies as his replacement, Bloomberg reports.
The appointment comes as a surprise, but Kukies’ extensive experience in both the financial world and government makes him a well-qualified candidate for the role.
Kukies, a former co-head of Goldman Sachs Germany, served as one of Scholz’s deputies during his tenure as finance minister under Angela Merkel. This appointment marks his return to the political sphere after a period focused on financial matters.
Prior to entering politics, Kukies played a pivotal role in the European Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, acting as one of the key architects of the joint borrowing program designed to address the economic fallout.
