Interview: Miele-Chef: „Vermögende haben eine besondere Verantwortung“

Reinhard Zinkann, co-owner of Miele, defends the decision to award the Westphalian Peace Prize to NATO. During an interview, he discusses the responsibility of entrepreneurs in a troubled society, the reform direction of the federal government, and the limits of higher taxes. Zinkann believes that entrepreneurs have a shared responsibility to prevent society from falling apart.

Miele plans to invest around 500 million euros in its German locations by 2028. The Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz faces challenges in his position, but Zinkann criticizes focusing solely on him, emphasizing the importance of following up with decisive reforms. Zinkann does not oppose tax increases but believes they should help relieve people, rather than merely redistributing wealth through measures like an inheritance tax.

He criticizes high inheritance taxes, as they hinder company investment. Zinkann stresses the need to address the spending problem in the state, as Germany faces an expenditure, not revenue, issue. To create a sense of progress, Zinkann advises understanding and addressing people's concerns, and working together with employers, employees, and the state to achieve a competitive environment.

As the chairman of the Westphalian Economic Society, Zinkann sees the NATO prize as a significant signal for companies, emphasizing the importance of reliable political frameworks, open markets, efficient supply chains, and trust for growth.