Former finance minister and former FDP leader Christian Lindner moved to the automotive industry as a manager. Starting in January he will become deputy chairman of the board of Autoland AG, the company announced. “The fact that this is the automotive industry will not surprise anyone who knows my personal interests,” Lindner wrote on Facebook about his new career plans. He wanted to work in a place that was the heart of the German economy.
Autoland AG claims to be Germany’s largest brand-independent car trading group. The company employs approximately 1,500 people at more than 30 locations. The company’s headquarters are in Sandersdorf-Brehna in Saxony-Anhalt.
According to the statement, company founder Wilfried Wilhelm Anclam said that Lindner will significantly increase awareness of the company. Lindner is one of the most prominent advocates of individual mobility.
Lindner is eyeing further positions
But the job at Autoland isn’t the only position Lindner wants to hold in the future. “In addition to my professional focus at Autoland AG, I am also involved as a supervisory board member and advisor to companies and foundations whose people, topics and visions inspire me,” Lindner said without providing details.
Since 2015, members of the federal government have had to wait a waiting period after leaving office before taking a new job. This is intended to prevent conflicts of interest. The Federal Cabinet had decided in October on the approval required because of Lindner’s waiting period. Among other things, the 46-year-old will join the board of shareholders of digital personnel services provider Stepstone Group, a joint investment of private equity funds KKR and Axel Springer SE, as an independent member. It is known from Lindner’s circle that he has applied for approval for these and other mandates.
Lindner left the federal government when the traffic light coalition ended. After the FDP failed to re-enter parliament with 4.3 percent at the subsequent federal election, Lindner announced his retirement from politics.
