30.11.2025
« You see who your friends are »
Scandal around the WEF: Now Klaus Schwab speaks
The founder of the World Economic Forum speaks publicly for the first time about his forced departure. He describes how the betrayal of his long-time companions affected him, what Donald Trump told him — and he warns that the Forum is at risk of becoming a « ritual without meaning. »
Reza Rafi, Editor-in-Chief, SonntagsBlick
A warm October day in Cologny, the upscale suburb of Geneva. Below, the lake glitters in the autumn sun; above, a refined stillness permeates the villa district. From time to time, a minivan from a private security firm or a tradesman passes by.
Klaus and Hilde Schwab welcome us to an appointment — a first of its kind: The doyen and his wife have never before invited members of the media into their private residence, located near the WEF headquarters. The main reason for the visit is a joint interview with the Schwabs for the magazine Interview by Ringier, published this week.
For the conversation, the 87-year-old invites us to the pavilion that serves both as his workspace and retreat. Awards and honorary titles hang on the walls. One would not guess that Schwab has just come through a long and exhausting conflict that, although ultimately resolved in his favor, has left only losers and wounded behind. He says: « Of course it leaves its marks. You see who your friends are. »
The Homburger report refuted the allegations
By « it, » the professor means the nightmare that began for him on April 16 of this year. In an anonymous email — sender « Rebecca » — accusations were made against the patriarch: abuse of power, misuse of WEF funds, and toxic leadership.
The unknown authors demanded Schwab’s removal within a week and threatened to go public. Then came the break: The WEF leadership reacted completely differently than the founder had expected — they did not act against the anonymous attackers but against Schwab. A group of foundation board members around AXA chairman Thomas Buberl (52) and former Nestlé chief Peter Brabeck (81) immediately ordered an external investigation and forced Schwab to step down.
Many losers were left behind
This was followed by a series of public leaks and media prejudgments. Then, in August, the turning point: The external investigators from the Zurich law firm Homburger exonerated Schwab on all counts. What remained were a few minor issues — but above all, many losers. Brabeck resigned, Schwab has been fighting to restore his reputation — and the country worries about the future of its flagship conference.
« How well could you cope with the allegations against you and your wife ? » we ask. « Not at all. Not at all, » the host responds. Of course, Schwab emphasizes, he doesn’t want this to sound like settling scores, nor is he offended — that is not what this is about.
He refers to strategy theory: « When you’re confronted with a problem, you solve the problem. But if you’re confronted with anonymous accusations that did not come through the normal whistleblower system — we have an internal whistleblower system — but simply through anonymous emails, then you’re dealing with an evil spirit. You cannot ignore it, and that spirit follows you. »
« The human aspect hurts the most »
It becomes clear from the conversation that it was not just the content of the accusations that troubled him. « What particularly hurts is when accusations are crafted in such a way that they create maximum antipathy toward you in the public. It’s astonishing how even top people believe such primitive allegations. » But the WEF founder also speaks of a wave of solidarity he experienced. « It’s incredible how many letters we received from people. Ordinary people who simply felt that something unjust was happening. »
The downside is a typical pattern: Successful individuals tend to attract careerists and protégés — who then turn their backs all the more quickly when the mentor falls. « On the other hand, there are people you trusted who suddenly turn away, who take no position. That probably hurts the most — the human side. »
« Internal tensions require a villain »
These are the reflections of a grand statesman who, in the autumn of his life, sees his life’s work in danger — a life’s work that has generated critics and admirers, opponents and loyalists for decades. Schwab says: « If you are nearing the end of your career, such a blow affects you more than if you still had 20 or 30 years ahead of you. »
How does he explain the costly conflict and the unexpectedly strong resistance from former companions? « It took me a long time to understand how such a situation could have arisen. »
The only explanation he finds is that of French sociologist René Girard: « He shows how, during a transitional period — for example, from a founder to a successor — internal tensions arise that demand a victim or villain. With such a victim, the organization tries to shift attention onto the supposed villain and thereby restore unity. If it then turns out that the villain was not a villain at all, the narrative of guilt must still be upheld. »
Trump announced his return in April
The patriarch is already working on new projects, and he plans to stay away from the next WEF in Davos in January. He is not surprised that U.S. President Donald Trump (79) is expected to attend. He has « always maintained a relatively good relationship » with him. In their last phone call in April, Trump had told him: « See you in Davos. »
Still, Schwab remains the creator who worries about the future of his creation. « Now the WEF stands at a crossroads: Either Davos evolves into a conceptual force that helps shape the future — or it becomes a ritual without meaning. The world doesn’t need another conference. It needs a compass. » Another scenario feared in Bern is that the WEF could leave Switzerland.
That Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, and others would like to host the WEF is an open secret. « Or the USA, » he adds. For this reason, before his departure, he initiated steps to have the 40,000 square meters of land in Cologny transferred to the Swiss state. « The Forum would have retained unrestricted beneficiary rights. Nothing would have changed for the Forum, but the Confederation or the government of Geneva would have felt more like co-owners. » Both were attempts to anchor the WEF more firmly in Switzerland.
He will stay away from Davos in January
At the time of the leadership change in April 2025, the World Economic Forum was « financially solid, globally recognized, conceptually leading, institutionally stable, and culturally rooted, » Schwab emphasizes — « ready for the future. »
The founder also has words of praise for the new leadership team around Roche vice-chair André Hoffmann (67) and BlackRock chairman Larry Fink (73). « At the moment, the WEF has been stabilized by the two interim chairs. And I think we must now give the new team a chance. »
It is quite possible that in 2027 ECB president Christine Lagarde (69) will take over as chair. That is the scenario Schwab once envisioned. But he does not want to interfere now. « I will take some distance for a few years, » he says — sitting in his residence in Cologny, just a few dozen meters below the WEF headquarters. The WEF and its founder will not be separated from each other so quickly.