A debate is developing within the German business community concerning how to handle the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. While some entrepreneurs are calling for the dismantling of the so-called “brand wall” of political exclusion, major business associations remain committed to drawing clear lines against the far-right party, according to “Bild am Sonntag”.
Several business figures argue that the current policy is detrimental. Caspar Brockhaus of the Brockhaus Group asserted to the publication that the protective barriers “paralyze politics, the economy, and thus our country”. He argued that if the center-right and center-left parties fail to make Germany economically competitive again, the possibility of new democratic constellations would have to be considered-an option he believes would significantly increase reform pressure. Similarly, Sarna Röser, an entrepreneur and founder of “Unternehmer in Bewegung” described the brand wall as an act of arrogance by established parties. She criticized the old-school parties for trying to dictate who belongs to democracy, calling it hubris that has only strengthened the AfD. Röser insisted that true democracy is determined by the voter, not the party, and that trust is built through better policies, not exclusion. Wolfgang Grupp of Trigema, who is a proponent of migration, also stated that, from his perspective, the exclusion policy concerning the AfD makes no sense, emphasizing that “in a democracy, every party must be willing to talk to every other party”.
However, the opposing viewpoint is strongly held by leading industry figures. Rainer Dulger, President of the Employers’ Association, warned that right- and left-extremist parties jeopardize the German economic location, jobs, and prosperity. Consequently, he argued, center parties must take the legitimate concerns of voters seriously and focus on making Germany a strong employment site, noting that competitiveness is the best antidote to extremism.
Dirk Jandura, President of the Federal Association of Wholesale, Foreign Trade, and Services, stated that if the AfD is to draw a protective boundary against right-wing extremism and anti-European sentiment, there would be no reason to engage in dialogue. He added that this condition would also apply to those opposed to the market economy in the Left Party and BSW. Meanwhile, Franz-Olaf Kallerhoff, President of the German Brands Association, cautioned that any elevation or normalization of the AfD poses a threat to the market economy. He concluded that they see no sense in engaging with parties that represent extremist positions that would harm the economy, society, and the nation.
