Merz promotes confidence at economic forum and praises East Germany as an innovation region

The Chancellor pointed to the economic strength of East Germany and its growing importance for the innovation landscape of the Federal Republic. "East German universities and research institutes are among the most efficient locations in all of Germany today," said Merz. He described Saxony as "one of the most important microelectronics clusters in all of Europe," thus placing the region on par with international centers of the semiconductor industry.

Merz also referred to the establishment of major semiconductor manufacturers such as TSMC and emphasized that East Germany plays a key role in Europe's technological sovereignty. The combination of research, industry, and political support makes the region a location that attracts attention beyond national borders.

East Germany in a Key Role

Karsten Wildberger (CDU) also participated in the conference. He advocated for greater self-confidence in dealing with digital technologies: "Germany can do more than it has admitted to itself for years." Sometimes he had the feeling that the country's energy was directed against itself. This attitude must change so that new technologies can once again act as growth drivers.

Wildberger outlined his vision of a digital Germany "in which technology, artificial intelligence, data centers, cloud" would once again become an engine of growth. He advocated for more decisive utilization of the potential of digitalization and the reduction of bureaucratic hurdles. The pace of expansion of digital infrastructure must also be significantly increased.

Digital Minister Advocates for More Self-Confidence

The head of Silicon Saxony, the industry association of the Saxon semiconductor and microelectronics industry, also expressed confidence. "Germany is more capable than is criticized," she said in an interview. The location has shown in recent years that it can attract international investors and implement innovation projects.

Conference participants also discussed the opportunities for stronger European cooperation in chip manufacturing. In view of geopolitical tensions and growing competition from Asia and North America, European domestic production is gaining strategic importance. East Germany could play a central role in this.

A Look at Europe's Chip Industry

The East German Economic Forum, one of the central meetings of the East German economy, regularly brings together representatives from politics, business, and science. This year, in addition to the economic situation, the focus was primarily on digitalization, securing skilled labor, and location marketing.

Merz concluded by emphasizing that the coming years are crucial for whether Germany can secure and expand its prosperity. This requires a mixture of optimism, political reliability, and targeted investments in research and industry. The location conditions in East Germany are particularly favorable for this.