WEF founder Klaus Schwab has fallen out with his organization.Image: keystone
WEF co-president André Hoffmann wants founder Klaus Schwab back in Davos – next year. Not as an organizer, but as a visitor.
01/25/2026, 06:3601/25/2026, 06:36
“The succession process should of course not be reversed,” said Hoffmann in an interview with “NZZ am Sonntag”. It could be that Schwab is not interested in such a role. “But he would be someone with a lot of importance because he had a significant influence on the history of the WEF.” In any case, Schwab will receive an invitation, said Hoffmann.
How long he will lead the World Economic Forum (WEF) together with Larry Fink is completely open. “But you can assume that next year Larry and I will again lead the annual meeting as co-presidents,” said Hoffmann.
No request to ECB boss Lagarde
And at the end of 2027 it will be handed over to Christine Lagarde, the current President of the European Central Bank? When asked by “NZZ am Sonntag”, the current co-president replied: “At the moment there is neither an official nor an unofficial request from the WEF.”
Klaus Schwab said in an interview a few months ago that he had earmarked Lagarde as his successor. But that was never discussed in the board of trustees.
At the WEF 2027 he will work to ensure that environmental issues are given even greater focus, said Hoffmann. “I would also like to see more participants from Africa. When we talk about the next generation, Africa becomes more important and more important,” he emphasized. (sda)