Federal Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has called on the German economy to combat right-wing extremism. In an interview with the Funke Media Group newspapers (Sunday editions), she urged entrepreneurs to “commit to diversity among their workforce and fight discrimination.” Bas, who previously served as the president of the Bundestag, added that she often criticizes society for being too quiet in the fight against right-wing extremism. “I would like to see more backbone and steadfastness against the AfD.”
The labor minister explained that she knows many great entrepreneurs who “are very active and therefore also face criticism – up to death threats. I can only say, ‘Well done.'” Bas does not rule out an increase in unemployment in Germany. “Things could get very bad in the next one to two years” she told the Funke Media Group newspapers. She sees concerns in the automotive industry and the steel sector. “American trade policy is leading to the departure of companies.” However, it is unwise to predict a specific unemployment rate at this time.