Frank Thelen says Germany's 'Brandmauer' policy hurts the country

Entrepreneur Frank Thelen told Bild that the so‑called "Brandmauer" – a negotiation tactic used by the governing coalition – has harmed Germany. He argues the policy limits the CDU/CSU’s bargaining power and could eventually reduce the alliance to a junior partner of the AfD. Thelen warned that without the Brandmayer, the centre‑right could be stronger and negotiations with parties like the Left would be less constrained.

Thelen, who led the federal Innovation Council from 2018 to 2021 and appears on the TV show "Die Höhle der Löwen," said his public political comments caused investors to pull out multimillion‑euro projects within days. He criticised the Greens’ energy policy and called for a culture where business leaders can express political views without fearing financial retaliation, warning that a restricted public debate impoverishes society.