Interview with Dr Christian Scharpf

munich business: Welcome back to Munich, Dr Scharpf! You’ve already spent many years living and working in Munich, so you are very familiar with the economy, the city authorities, and local politics. How does it feel to be back in Munich?

Dr Christian Scharpf: My wife and I have already lived in Munich for about 30 years, since our studies brought us here. In the last five years I lived in Ingolstadt on weekdays, where I served as Lord Mayor, while my wife and children stayed in Munich. Returning to my former professional domain in the City of Munich feels not just familiar, but like a homecoming. I’m very happy about it.
 

You know the Department of Labor and Economic Development (RAW) from your previous role in the Managerial Board of the Munich Rathaus. What particularly appeals to you about your new role as head of economic affairs?

The Department of Labor and Economic Development, with its six specialist areas, spans a great range of topics, which makes the role extremely varied. What I particularly like is that the role is not merely that of leading a City department, but involves working closely with people, companies, organizations that promote employment, as well as various associations and institutions, and that it can have a real impact on policy. Even though I’m not responsible for all policy areas in an operational sense, I need to have them all on my radar. The issues range from affordable housing, modernized schools and sufficient childcare places, to mobility and safety in the city, and much more besides, as these regional factors are key to a prospering economy. The issues are close to the hearts of companies and employees, and must therefore also guide my work.

What experience do you bring to your new role and how do you plan to tackle the many complex challenges? Does it help to have also looked at Munich from the outside?

My years serving as Lord Mayor in Ingolstadt have been both very helpful and informative. I was, among other things, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board and the Administrative Board of the city utilities company (Stadtwerke), the Sparkasse, the city hospital, the municipal building authority (Kommunalbauten), and our economic development organization, where we dealt with the entire spectrum of economic and business topics that a city typically faces. In this role I was in regular contact with local companies, with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Chamber of Crafts, as well as with the employment agency and trade unions. I will encounter many of these stakeholders again as head of Munich’s economic affairs. Of course, my background as a banker and my expertise in municipal economic law, which was the focus of my doctoral thesis, are also a help.

As Lord Mayor of Ingolstadt you placed great emphasis on cross-party cooperation and a culture of trust. What do you particularly value when it comes to working with colleagues and other municipal departments?

A good working atmosphere is half the battle when it comes to employee satisfaction. This includes an appreciative and trust-based manner of dealing with each other. Ideally, everyone would enjoy coming to the office early and look forward to their tasks here. Within the city administration we should be working with and not against one another, as we all share a common goal: to work for citizens and keep the city running smoothly, so that Munich remains a desirable and enjoyable place to live. I therefore approach all my colleagues within the city authorities with a fully open mind. I’m less interested in toeing a party line and much more focused on constructive cooperation for the benefit of our city.

Munich is one of Germany’s strongest economic regions. Which regional aspects do you particularly want to support?

Munich is in the privileged position of being home to several DAX-listed companies and tech giants. This is great! Equally important, however, are the small and medium-sized companies and craft-trades sector, which are not only the backbone of Munich’s economy, but also provide essential services for many people here. So it makes no sense to focus on one particular economic sector. We have to ensure that this healthy “Munich Mix” remains intact. Startups also play an important role, and we want to ensure they remain a priority, as they help drive the innovation that is key to future developments.
 

Munich’s economy also faces major challenges. Which do you consider the most urgent and how do you plan to address them? 

Major transformation processes are happening with respect to digitalization, artificial intelligence, as well as the ecological transition to a more climate-friendly economy. Times are changing fast. The lack of skilled workers in many sectors is an additional challenge. Our export-focused companies, especially in the car industry, face increasing difficulties in the Chinese and American markets, and energy prices are too high. It is impossible to solve everything here in Munich at the municipal level, but we have to do everything possible to maintain and, even more so, create a new business-friendly environment. We have to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and impediments and support those companies that are having difficulties coping with the current transformation processes. There’s a lot to do!    

Your new role entails a lot of responsibility. Is there a place in Munich where you like to go to relax?

The Zentrum St. Michael is a place in Munich that provides me with spiritual strength. I have had close ties to the Jesuits ever since I studied philosophy at their university for a few semesters and learned to greatly value the spiritual life there.
 

You and our Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter share a passion for music. Could you ever imagine playing together with him in a band?

Well, politically I have a lot in common with Dieter Reiter, but there are considerable differences when it comes to our musical preferences. He and his guitar come more from the cool, rock ‘n’ roll side of things, while I wear Lederhose and play clarinet in a Bavarian wind-instrument ensemble, as well as saxophone from time to time. Making music together could be a challenge.
 

As head of economic affairs you are also in charge of the “Wiesn”. What does your ideal Oktoberfest visit involve?

I’ve loved traditional festivals ever since I was a child, but the Wiesn is the ultimate festival of its kind and can’t be beaten. My record as a student was to attend on 14 out of 16 days. I sampled everything, from fairground rides to the beer tent. Nowadays my children sometimes convince me to go on the rides, after which I usually think: once is enough! The highlight is still when I appear on stage with my wind-instrument ensemble at the Oidn Wiesn, which unfortunately happens far too rarely. I will now surely beat the 14-day record from my student days. Lots of people come to me now and say, Aren’t you the lucky one, now you can attend every day! To which I respond: Hey, I’m there to work! Though I’m sure it will be the best work environment I could possibly imagine.

Dr Scharpf, thank you very much for the interview.

The Department of Labor and Economic Development, led by Dr Christian Scharpf, is responsible for economic development, labor market policy, Europe, shareholdings, tourism, and events.