German Buisness Association Reverses course on AfD Invitation
Berlin, Germany – January 12, 2025 – GermanyS Family Business Association (Der Familienunternehmer), a prominent lobby group representing over 6,000 companies including BMW, Volkswagen, ALDI, and Robert Bosch GmbH, has retracted its decision to invite members of the far-right Choice for Germany (AfD) party to a flagship political event. The reversal follows notable backlash from members and the withdrawal of support from several businesses.
The association initially defended the invitation,arguing that direct engagement would allow them to challenge the AfD’s policies,which they believe are anti-business and detrimental to Germany’s economic competitiveness. Managing Director Albrecht von der Hagen had previously stated the existing “firewall” against the AfD had been ineffective, advocating for a shift in strategy.
Though, President Marie-Christine Ostermann announced on Sunday that the move “was a mistake,” acknowledging that it had created the unintended impression of support for the party. “Sadly,a false impression has been created publicly – partly due to statements made by the AfD itself – that we wanted to strengthen the party,” she stated following an internal committee meeting.
The controversy reignited a national debate surrounding Germany’s “firewall” against the AfD – a commitment by various institutions to isolate the party due to its unconstitutional and inflammatory rhetoric. Critics argued that even inviting AfD members to a high-profile event breached established boundaries.
Several Mittelstand companies – small and medium-sized enterprises known for their stable business culture – severed ties with the association,expressing concerns that the invitation lent legitimacy to a party they view as a threat to democratic norms and Germany’s economic future.
The Family Business Association reiterated its fundamental opposition to the AfD,stating,”Our opinion of the AfD has not changed: We consider them unfit to govern – not only because of their internally contradictory and largely flawed economic and social policies,but also because of their vision of society – which we categorically reject.”
The association plans to consult its membership in the coming weeks to determine how to address the AfD’s growing influence without providing a platform for the party. The decision to reverse the invitation has been welcomed by politicians from the CDU, SPD, and the Greens.
This advancement comes after the german Office for the Protection of the Constitution officially classified the AfD as a confirmed right-wing extremist organization earlier in the year, based on intelligence gathered from domestic security agencies. This classification carries significant weight, impacting surveillance powers and influencing interactions between state institutions, private actors, and the party.