A complex political context
Germany is experiencing a particularly complex moment politically. After the great global economic crisis of 2008 and the political instability that has followed the worsening of people’s living conditions in the following decades, the country is now facing a rise of right-wing populism. This trend is observed in other countries such as the United States with Donald Trump, Brazil with Bolsonaro, the United Kingdom with Boris Johnson and Argentina with Milei. Now, in Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is anti-immigration and very Eurosceptic, has come second in the polls.
The reaction of business groups
This rise in right-wing populism has raised concerns among Germany’s big business groups. More than thirty important corporations in the country have joined together to make a common front against this trend. Companies such as Thyssenkrupp, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Ford, Siemens, Bosch, DHL, Henkel, Bayer, Allianz, Deutsche Bahn and Deutsche Bank are against ultra-populism. They consider that this type of party poses a danger to the current economic order and endangers the prosperity of the country.
The call for a united Europe
These German business corporations are calling for a united Europe that embraces diversity, openness and tolerance. They consider these values to be key to maintaining the functioning of society and the success of the economic system. In a joint statement, they affirm that these values are what have kept the engine of the German economic system going and that they are essential for the country’s future.
The importance of the European elections
With the European elections around the corner, these business corporations are calling on the public to confront populism and extremism. They argue that it is important to go to the polls and vote against hatred and populism. They emphasize that in Germany alone, 1.7 million different people of different origins work in their companies, and that together they can avoid a strong signal against hatred and populism.
Immigration as a key factor
The managers of these business corporations argue that immigration is essential to have a workforce and slow down the aging of German society. They argue that, although immigration must be regulated, it is necessary to maintain the country’s prosperity. They warn that without immigration, German society is heading towards aging and this endangers its prosperity.
