ifo Media Center
The ifo Institute invites you to participate in the discussion of interesting economic topics via the Internet. In our ifo Media Center a whole series of remarkable events are available and can be viewed in full length. We also record selected speeches and presentations given by employees or at events and make them available in our Media Center.
Sonja Ingarsia
Team Assistant
BI Office
Franziska Binder
BI Office
Ulrike Baldi-Cohrs
Dr. Michaela Paffenholz
Economist
Alexander Bertermann
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Moritz Seebacher
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
ifo Viewpoint 238: Don’t Raise the Eurozone’s Public-Debt Limit
In February 2020, the European Commission announced that it would present a plan for reforming the eurozone’s economic governance, including the rules for public debt. After a lengthy postponement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project is now back on the table, amid widespread calls to give governments more leeway, for example to finance climate protection spending.
Victor Tuekam
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
ifo Viewpoint 237: Eight Reasons Why an Excess Profits Tax Is Not a Good Idea
There are currently increasing calls to impose a special tax on the rising profits of energy companies, also known as an excess profits tax. These companies are accused of profiting from the war in Ukraine, which has led to a shortage of energy supplies and sharply rising prices. Some politicians are stoking the mood by speaking of “war profiteers” and a “tax on greed.”
ifo Viewpoint 236: We Must Not Undermine the Signaling Function of Price!
The German government’s relief package is well-intentioned. But regulation and subsidies aren’t a sustainable way to combat inflation.
Jason Warren
Grega Ferenc
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Prof. Dr. Sarah Necker
Director of the Ludwig Erhard ifo Center for Social Market Economy and Institutional Economics
Ernst Erwin Glöckner
Junior Economist and Doctoral Student
Annette von Maltzan
Survey Assistant
ifo Viewpoint 235: Broad Tax Cuts for Gasoline Are the Wrong Way to Go
In view of drastic rises in energy prices, there are increasing calls for governments to shield citizens from the burden. The French government has announced that it will reduce gasoline tax by EUR 0.15 per liter for four months starting in April. In Germany, there is criticism that the government is earning money from the increase in the price of gasoline via VAT. The claim is that the additional revenue should be returned to the citizens. Some are calling for fuels to be subject only to the reduced VAT rate of 7 percent. Since VAT rates cannot be changed at will due to European law, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner wants to introduce a gasoline rebate – people should submit fuel bills to the tax office and get a portion refunded.
ifo Viewpoint 234: Economic Consequences of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The war in Ukraine is not only a military and geopolitical turning point. It is also changing the economic situation. This affects both the short-term economic trend and the medium-term prospects for growth and prosperity. The previously expected economic recovery will be weakened. There is a threat of stagflation, i.e., a combination of weak growth and high inflation. Monetary policy faces a dilemma: while interest rate hikes can curb inflation, they would further dampen growth.
Patrick Höppner
Specialist
Moritz Schasching
Specialist
ifo Viewpoint 233: The Coalition Agreement – A Desire for Something New
Angela Merkel was said to be careful to manage expectations. Those who promise little need not fear criticism if nothing is achieved. The traffic light government is acting differently. Its coalition agreement is ambitious. It wants to massively accelerate the digitalization and decarbonization of the economy while preserving prosperity and inclusion.
