In the dispute over remarks about the so‑called “lifestyle part‑time” and the role of the Small and Medium‑Enterprise Commissioner Gitta Connemann (CDU), BVMW president Christoph Ahlhaus is facing mounting criticism.
Following Ahlhaus’s public criticism of Connemann, a total of fifteen business associations signed a letter addressed to the BVMW chair. In the “Bild” article from the Saturday edition, the letter is quoted. The associations express a “great sense of surprise” at the criticism aimed at Connemann. They explicitly reject calls for her resignation. “We highly value Gitta Connemann’s work and see her on our side to bring about the necessary-but unfortunately absent-reform” the letter reads.
The coalition of associations states: “In his letter, the Association of German Small and Medium Enterprises does not speak on behalf of the German Mittelstand”. They continue: “We consider the criticism of the person of commissioner Gitta Connemann to be false and unhelpful”.
According to “Bild”, the letter was signed by the CEOs and presidents of the following associations:
– INSM – Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft
– Federation of German Leasing Companies
– Association of Women Entrepreneurs in Germany (VDU)
– Federation of Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services
– Federation of German Housing and Property Companies
– German Trade Association (HDE)
– Federation of Free Professions
– Association of the German Textile and Fashion Industries
– German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA)
– German Advertising Association (ZAW)
– Association Cosmetic Professional
– Central Association of German Poultry Industry
– Association of the German Cigarette and Tobacco Industry
– The Family Business Association e.V.
– Confederation of the Employers’ Associations of the Metal and Electrical Industries.