Lindner at 19: first million in revenue, and no transition pay

Day one of Germany's 20th business summit in Berlin ended with a conversation about money. Christian Lindner, the former finance minister from the FDP (the liberal party), was the guest at a live edition of the interview series "Reden wir über Geld" ("Let's talk about money").

Lindner said he had his first million in revenue at 19. He also said he had not collected a single euro of transitional pay, the payments former ministers can receive after leaving office.

Earlier at the Euref-Campus in Berlin-Schöneberg, Johannes Winkel, head of the Junge Union (the CDU/CSU youth wing) and deputy leader of the conservative parliamentary group, called for the pension package to be implemented. He also praised the nomination of Ilse Aigner (CSU) as candidate for Federal President.

Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) won over the audience by saying his job is mostly fun. He spoke openly about the problems at Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway.

In the late afternoon, the Gipfelstürmer Awards for young companies went out in three categories: Food & Agritech, Health & Biotech, and Finance.