Whether to talk to the far-right and right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD)? This is the question that is currently dividing Germany’s business community.
The debate began in October when a business association called Die Familien Unternehmer (The Family Entrepreneurs) invited AfD representatives to its parliamentary evening in Berlin for the first time. In the words of its president Marie-Christine Ostermann, the association thus lifted the national “contact ban” on the party, which is classified as “far-right and partly right-wing extremist” by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency.
“We family entrepreneurs do not want a government that includes the AfD,” the organization’s website states. “The AfD’s worldview is incompatible with our fundamental beliefs in freedom and a market economy, which is why we family entrepreneurs do not shy away from debating the AfD’s policies.”
“Engaging in discussion with someone who thinks differently is not the same as accepting his position. Conversation does not mean working together.”
Ostermann told German public broadcaster ZDF.
That it was necessary to challenge the party on its policies. Its popularity may decrease if people are shown that AfD politicians often have “hollow or contradictory” policies, despite their catchy slogans.
Some members choose to exit the association
“The response from our members supports our decision,” the association posted on Instagram without elaborating on the extent of the support. Family Business represents 180,000 family businesses in Germany, which employ a total of approximately 8 million people. There is no clear information about which German companies are members.
However, some members have publicly objected to the association’s openness to talking with the AfD. For example, Berlin entrepreneur Harald Christ left the association. On Tuesday, drugstore chain Rossmann also announced its withdrawal.
Home appliance manufacturer Vorwerk also said it intended to terminate its membership, which has been inactive for some time, and formally leave the association. “Vorwerk has distanced itself from the statements made by the association ‘Die Familienternehmen’ regarding its dealings with the AfD.”
Others are considering quitting. Melita Group said it was “very surprised” by the association’s change in position. It said it supports dialogue with politicians, but not with parties that have extremist elements.
Consumer pressure is increasing on German companies
One of the leading companies in Germany in terms of employee friendliness, stability and popularity among customers is the drugstore chain DM. The company has not given any clear statement against AFD. Christoph Werner, chairman of the DM management board, told the German daily, “The DM rejects the polarizing firewall debate as decisively as it rejects the AfD party’s positions, which question the free democratic basic order.” south german newspaper Newspaper.
“How the association wishes to deal with certain aspects will be a matter for its members to decide,” the company said. The company said it had left the association several months ago and, therefore, is no longer part of the internal discussions.
DMs were ranked number one in customer popularity in a survey earlier this year, but now many customers are expressing dissatisfaction with Instagram. Meaning of various statements: “Everything has been good so far, but from now on, if you don’t take corrective action we are going our separate ways!” Without a clear stance from DM, many say they will take their business to rival Rossmann in the future.
Leading companies that don’t even belong to a trade association are feeling the heat. People on Instagram have pressured Haribo to distance itself from the AfD as they pledged to no longer buy its products. The candy manufacturer immediately clarified publicly that it is not a member of the association.
Other companies, such as Henkel, known as the manufacturer of Persil, have also faced pressure on Instagram, amid calls such as: “Make a statement now on the topic of the Family Entrepreneurs Association/AFD, please!”
Comparison of the 1930s amid criticism of business groups
There was also sharp criticism from the Green Party and the Christian Democrats (CDU). The Verdi and DGB trade unions also criticized the business association’s decision to invite AfD representatives to talks.
Vardy boss Frank Wernecke called on employers and trade unions to take a tough stance. He told Funke Media Group: “History warns us how important it is for the business community to clearly distance itself from right-wing extremists,” he said, referring to historical parallels with 1933, when industrialists supported Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party.
Anja Piel, member of the executive board of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), also called on members of Die Familienternehmen to clearly distance themselves from the AfD.
Asked by DW, the Federation of German Industries (BDI) said it has repeatedly criticized the AfD’s views as well as those of other radical parties. “We do not want active dialogue with representatives of radical parties like the AfD.”
Bakers Guild finds itself unfairly vilified
The Central Association of the German Bakery Trade said it believes a report published in a German tabloid newspaper has been misrepresented PictureIn response to questions from DW, Mieke Bennewitz stressed that the Bakers Guild rejects extremism of any kind, “We unequivocally condemn unconstitutional or extremist positions that divide society,” This meant that, upon request, members of parliament would be provided with information or position papers regardless of their party affiliation, but the association “will not actively contact parties on the political border and will not invite members of parliament from these parties to association events,”
The German Farmers’ Union said: “We […] limit our behavior [editor’s note: with the AfD] To the minimum required by protocol. Our first point of contact is the ruling parties at the federal and state levels.”
The Federal Association of Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA) called on the AfD to draw a line in the sand against right-wing extremism and anti-European sentiment. “Until that happens, there is no reason to talk to each other. The same applies to the opponents of the market economy in the Left Party and the BSW. Here, too, there is no common ground for exchange.”
AfD gets attention
While the arguments were fierce, the AfD party was pleased with the trade union’s proposal. AfD leader Alice Weidel said, “Negotiating with opposition representatives should definitely be a matter for the business community and small and medium-sized enterprises, especially when they are the strongest political force in the country according to polls.” “Other representatives of business, finance and small and medium-sized enterprises would also be well advised to follow the example.”
This article was originally published in German.