Germany’s coalition government of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats came into office a little more than a year ago, recognizing that economic and social reforms are urgently needed to boost the country’s economic competitiveness, address demographic change, modernize public services, and ensure inclusive growth. Already under the previous “traffic light” coalition led by the Social Democrats, the need for fundamental reform was clear.
Join the ACG for a virtual discussion on Germany’s plans to implement key economic and social reforms with Martin Klingst, who managed the Initiative for an Effective State, a project founded by two former federal ministers, a former president of the Federal Constitutional Court, and a media executive, from 2024 to 2025.
Martin Klingst is a journalist and author who studied Law in Freiburg, Geneva, and Hamburg. He was a journalist at DIE ZEIT for 27 years, working as a reporter, senior political editor, and U.S. correspondent. He also served as Head of Strategic Communications and Speeches for the German president. From 2024 to 2025, he managed the Initiative for an Effective State, which aimed to comprehensively reform the government and public administration. He is currently the Executive Director of the #EffectiveLocalGovernments network at the Hertie School.
Mr. Klingst has published three books: Menschenrechte (Human Rights), Trumps Amerika. Reise in ein weißes Land (Trump’s America: Journey to a White Country), and a biography of Guido Goldman, a Harvard professor and founder of the German Marshall Fund: Guido Goldman: Transatlantic Bridge Builder.
