More than 50 plant managers from major companies have publicly declared their support for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) before the federal election.
“The interests and demands of employees in the automotive industry are best taken care of by Olaf Scholz and the SPD” said co-signatory and VW plant manager Daniela Cavallo to the Funke Media Group (Wednesday editions). “No party has accompanied us at Volkswagen in the past years as intensively as the SPD and has been so concerned about the future of jobs in the automotive industry.”
Among the supporters of the appeal are plant managers from Continental, Deutsche Post, Bayer, Deutsche Telekom, Siemens and Mercedes-Benz. “Our economy is undoubtedly in a difficult situation” the 56 plant managers write. Germany must remain an industrial nation. “We need massive investments in our steel and automotive industry, in machinery and equipment manufacturing, in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, in semiconductors and in battery production.” At the same time, investments must be made in infrastructure.
The employee representatives demand a “clear reform of the debt brake” as well as “competitive energy prices, planning security and targeted incentives for future investments at the German location.” Scholz has proven that “active industrial policy” investments and “strong workers’ rights” are core components of a government led by him. Therefore, they will support Scholz in the election on February 23.
SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil called the appeal a “strong signal” for Scholz’s and his party’s course. “The plant managers represent more than a million employees in their companies” Klingbeil said to the Funke newspapers.