Jörg Dittrich, President of the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), has raised alarms concerning political extremism among craftspeople, citing the high level of approval for the AfD. Speaking to “Bild”, he urges many masters and skilled workers to look ahead rather than simply reacting to popular movements. He contends that instead of seeking “populist simple answers,” people should engage in thoughtful discourse within a democratic framework, calling on everyone to join parties and participate actively in the political debate.
Dittrich emphasized that Germany has become a strong economic nation through innovation, diversity, openness to the world, and diligence-qualities he believes need renewed focus. He expressed concern that many individuals are opting for “security,” noting that this inclination pushes society towards populism and oversimplification. According to him, the current situation is inherently complex, making easy answers unattainable. Therefore, he stressed that the core challenge lies in finding the necessary “complex answer” to address the demands of modern times.
