Patrick Bernau & Danyal Bayaz

Germany has many problems – and many of them have a common cause: bureaucracy. A thicket of well-intentioned laws, superfluous detailed rules and antiquated administrative practices is slowing down the country’s development and possibly even endangering democracy. Journalist Patrick Bernau uses impressive examples from everyday life, business and politics to show how well-intentioned rules have led to absurd excesses. He describes the causes of Germany’s regulatory mania in a pointed, analytical and tongue-in-cheek manner – and shows ways to finally make progress.

In a moderated discussion, Bernau enters into a dialog with Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Finance, Danyal Bayaz. Particularly in light of Bayaz’s work in the areas of state modernization and digitalization, the discussion will provide exciting insights and practical perspectives on possible solutions.

Patrick Bernau holds a doctorate in business journalism and is the editor responsible for the economy and value sections of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. He is a board member of the Cologne School of Journalism and on the boards of trustees of the Max Planck Institutes and has received several awards for his business journalism.

Dr. Danyal Bayaz has been the acting Minister of Finance of Baden-Württemberg since 2021. Born in Heidelberg, he studied politics and economics in Hohenheim, earned his doctorate in finance and is a former member of the German Bundestag.

In cooperation with

In the series And now? – How Germany and Europe remain capable of acting
Germany and Europe are facing major challenges – but every crisis also opens up opportunities for renewal.
Under the title “And now?”, this series brings together renowned experts from politics, science, journalism and economics. They analyze the causes of the current crises and at the same time point out concrete perspectives: for a sustainable economy, a resilient democracy, a realistic European policy and a state that protects security and freedom in equal measure.