The German Green Party’s parliamentary group deputy leaders, Konstantin von Notz and Andreas Audretsch, have sharply condemned the recent shift by the Association of Family Businesses (Familienunternehmerverband) towards a willingness to engage in dialogue with the Alternative for Germany (AfD). This move has ignited controversy and drawn accusations of political maneuvering.
In a statement delivered to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Von Notz and Audretsch characterized the AfD as a “securely right-wing extremist party” referencing warnings issued by Germany’s security services. They asserted that such a group cannot be considered a legitimate dialogue partner for democratic actors. The Green politicians directly questioned the motivations of Marie-Christine Ostermann, the association’s president, suggesting her pronouncements represent a personal political agenda rather than the views of the majority of family businesses represented by the group.
“The approximately 6,500 companies organized in the association should seriously consider whether Ms. Ostermann, as chairwoman, is truly speaking on their behalf with such dangerous relativization and development” the statement read. They emphasized a need for a correction of these recent, historically insensitive statements.
Von Notz and Audretsch underscored the collective responsibility to combat extremism and safeguard the liberal rule of law, highlighting the crucial role the business community must play. They pointed out that many German companies serve as a bulwark against right-wing extremism, recognizing the necessity of international talent, diversity, openness and the best ideas from all backgrounds for future success. The criticism exposes a growing concern over the normalization of dialogue with parties holding views increasingly at odds with Germany’s democratic values and raises questions about the responsibility of influential business organizations to actively defend those values.
