Leading economists are calling on businesses in Germany to take a stronger public stance against right-wing extremism and the AfD.
“The boards of directors in companies must now show their colors against the right and remind their employees: Your jobs are in danger if the AfD prevails. Unfortunately, in some companies there is the attitude that politicians should fix this on their own. That is wrong, We all have to do that together,” said the President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, to the German Press Agency.
Although some companies set a good example, others lack the courage, says Fratzscher. “The economy and companies would be the big losers of an AfD policy.” Then millions of jobs were lost. Without employees from abroad, the shortage of skilled workers will become significantly worse.
The director of the employer-oriented Institute of the German Economy (IW), Michael Hüther, also warned of the further rise of right-wing extremism and negative consequences for companies: “Democracy and the market economy historically emerged from the same roots at the beginning of European modernity over 200 years ago, in the long term They can only thrive together.”
The economic researcher praised the large participation in the demonstrations against the right. “It’s a good sign that so many people have taken to the streets in recent days for democracy and diversity.” The Weimar Republic could not rely on that. “We need openness instead of isolation – also economically,” said Hüther. Only open borders ensured prosperity.
“For us, only the bottles are brown”
Some companies have recently taken a stand against right-wing extremism. The retail giant Edeka, for example, published a video on social networks with the note “We love diversity and stand up against the right.” In the short film you can see astonished customers walking through a supermarket with almost empty shelves. “Imagine a supermarket that only sells German products,” reads a text that appears. The video was first released a few years ago.
The Cologne brewery’s description of the malt mill is somewhat briefer. The manufacturer of Mühlen Kölsch posted an advertisement online. Against a green background and next to a Kölsch bottle, the slogan “Only the bottles are brown for us” is emblazoned.
Bahn boss Richard Lutz wrote on the career portal LinkedIn: “The rise of the extreme right represents a serious danger to our country. It endangers our democracy, poisons our society, and makes hatred and agitation socially acceptable again.”
Saxony elects state parliament
In view of the latest AfD survey results, the economy in Saxony fears damage to the state’s image. “We have to remember that we depend on the best minds worldwide – both in science and in industry and crafts,” said Sylvia Pfefferkorn, deputy spokeswoman for the Business Association for a Cosmopolitan Saxony. It is becoming increasingly difficult to get people excited about Saxony as a place to live.
The association sees a central role in the management levels: “It is important that the entrepreneur takes on a role model function; he must shine through to the workforce,” says Pfefferkorn. There are state elections in Saxony on September 1st. According to a current Forsa survey, the AfD is the strongest force with 34 percent.
Edeka video Lutz post on LinkedIn
