The Association of Family Businesses’ recent retraction of its stance on engagement with the AfD party has drawn cautious praise from both the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The shift, perceived as a response to potential member attrition and financial repercussions, has ignited a renewed debate regarding the role of business organizations in confronting the far-right’s growing political influence.
Dennis Radtke, federal chairman of the CDU’s worker’s wing, suggested to the Handelsblatt newspaper that the prospect of dwindling membership and revenue likely spurred the change in approach. “The threat of membership and income losses seems to be working for businesses” he stated, adding a note of skepticism. “The credibility of this course change rests primarily with the member companies to assess”. He expressed satisfaction with the reversal, acknowledging the association’s public clarification and distancing from the initial decision.
Thuringia’s Interior Minister, Georg Maier (SPD), echoed the cautious optimism, simultaneously condemning the previous engagement. He labeled the association’s earlier move to cultivate relationships with AfD representatives as a “serious error” that contributed to the normalization of a “volkisch-nationalist” party. Maier applauded the “encouraging signal” sent by the member companies in halting what he characterized as the previous leadership’s misguided direction. He underscored the centrality of democracy and openness to Germany’s economic success, stressing the need to actively defend these values.
Maier’s comments also highlighted a broader concern surrounding the reluctance of other prominent business organizations to decisively distance themselves from the AfD. He specifically criticized the Industry and Commerce Chambers (IHKs) in Thuringia, arguing they are hiding behind a veneer of political neutrality to avoid explicitly condemning the party. The South Thuringia IHK in Suhl, he noted, has even shown itself open to dialogue with the AfD, despite the party’s anti-Euro stance posing a significant threat to the export-oriented Thuringian Mittelstand (small and medium-sized enterprises).
The Association of Family Businesses had previously announced a reassessment of its interaction with the AfD following a PR backlash. In an official statement, they acknowledged a grave miscalculation in their initial strategy: inviting AfD representatives to a parliamentary event intended to demonstrate the party’s “anti-business” agenda and detrimental impact on Germany’s economy. The association admitted to inadvertently creating a public perception that they were lending support to the party, rather than critiquing it. “We acknowledge that this invitation proved to be an error and did not lead to what we intended” they stated, signaling a commitment to explore alternative methods for engaging with and opposing the AfD while prominently articulating their core values. The situation underscores the increasing pressure on German business leaders to publicly denounce extremist ideologies and reaffirm their commitment to democratic principles.