FiRe Lecture 2025: "Ökonomie im Wandel – Real- und Finanzwirtschaft im Spannungsverhältnis"

This year's FiRe Lecture 2025 was held in proven cooperation with the Department of Economics, Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherung (GRAWE), the Finance Club Graz and the SOWI Alumni Association and was given by one of Austria's most prominent economists, Prof. Gabriel Felbermayr, PhD. Under the title “Economy in Transition - Real and Financial Economy in the Tension between Climate Change, Right-Wing Populism and Artificial Intelligence”, the Director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) analyzed the economic challenges in a time of political and social upheaval. 

The global rise of populism and its far-reaching effects on the economy, financial markets and social cohesion were the central theme of the lecture. Prof. Felbermayr showed how populist movements – as in the USA - are fueling economic uncertainty, undermining liberal institutions and putting pressure on international economic cooperation. The tension between the real economy and the financial economy was highlighted: How do political polarization and populist rhetoric influence trust in markets? With over 200 guests from academia, business, politics and students, the event was extremely well attended. The lively discussion following the lecture showed how topical and explosive the subject is.

 The Department of Banking and Finance would like to thank the speaker for his excellent lecture at the University of Graz and GRAWE for generously sponsoring the buffet following the lecture, which brought the event to a pleasant close and allowed for further discussion of what had been heard over a refreshing drink.