The burgeoning debate surrounding engagement between German business associations and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has exposed a significant regional divide and revealed nuanced perspectives within the electorate, according to a recent Forsa poll commissioned by “Stern” and RTL Deutschland. The survey, conducted November 27th and 28th, 2025, highlights a stark contrast in attitudes between East and West Germany, raising concerns about normalization of a party increasingly viewed as fundamentally challenging the country’s democratic values.
While a majority (57%) of those polled in Eastern Germany expressed support for direct dialogue between AfD politicians and business representatives, the sentiment is markedly different in the West, where only 40% agree with such interactions and a significant 56% actively oppose them. Nationally, support for engagement sits at 43%, overshadowed by a 54% opposition.
The renewed controversy stems from a recent and ultimately reversed decision by the Association of Family Businesses (VdU) to lift a self-imposed “contact ban” with the AfD. This brief reversal underscored the sensitivity surrounding the issue and placed intense scrutiny on the motivations and implications of business involvement with the right-wing populist party.
The polling data reveals a predictable alignment along party lines: an overwhelming 97% of AfD supporters advocate against any contact ban, while 68% of voters from other political parties are in favor. However, the figures for voters of the center-right Union parties, comprising CDU and CSU, are particularly revealing. Although a majority (58%) oppose direct contact, a concerning 41% remain comfortable with such engagements. This suggests a degree of tolerance or strategic calculation within the conservative base, potentially indicative of a broader attempt to appeal to segments of the electorate drawn to the AfD’s anti-immigration and nationalist rhetoric.
The discrepancy between East and West Germany, alongside the figures from Union voters, fuels a critical discussion about the danger of legitimizing a party that is frequently accused of questioning the consensus on Germany’s post-war identity, European integration and the rule of law. Critics argue that any interaction, regardless of purported purpose, risks providing a platform and amplifying the AfD’s agenda, further polarizing society and potentially eroding democratic norms. The data necessitates a deeper scrutiny of corporate social responsibility and the ethical considerations guiding business decisions in a politically charged climate.