Change of Presidency at ZEW: Outgoing President Wolfgang Franz Honoured with the German Federal Cross of Merit - Clemens Fuest Becomes New ZEW President

In a ceremony at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim, long-standing ZEW President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang Franz left office today. Prof. Dr. Clemens Fuest was inaugurated as his successor. From March 1, 2013 he will head ZEW together with the Director of Business and Administration, Thomas Kohl.

Winfried Kretschmann, Minister-President of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, and Theresia Bauer, Minister of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg and Chairwoman of the ZEW Supervisory Board, honoured the outstanding merits of outgoing ZEW President Wolfgang Franz. According to Minister-President Kretschmann, it was under Franz’s aegis that ZEW became one the leading economic research institutes in Germany and Europe as well as a recognized partner for scientifically grounded policy advice. "Baden-Württemberg is the home of a first-class economic research institute: The Centre for European Economic Research. ZEW’s reputation in Germany and abroad is not least due to Professor Franz," said Minister-President Kretschmann. The Minister-President honoured Wolfgang Franz for his outstanding commitment with the German Federal Cross of Merit (first class). He wished Franz's successor Clemens Fuest great success for the upcoming challenges. "The appointment of Professor Clemens Fuest as successor to Wolfgang Franz is promising for ZEW’s future. I am convinced that the excellent collaboration between the State Government and ZEW will continue", highlighted the Minister-President.