On September 1, regional elections will be held in Germany in two states: Saxony and Thuringia. Who could fall into the arms of the AfD, the far-right party, which would then lead the regions for the first time?
But some German companies are wary of the rise of the far right and are making it known. According to Les Échos, a campaign launched by the Vorwerk group (which produces in particular the famous Thermomix robots and Kobold vacuum cleaners) recalls the values of diversity that drive the signatory companies in a manifesto “Made in Germany, made by diversity”.
“Diversity” is a response to the lack of manpower
The initiative launched by some forty companies, including Braun (household appliances), Krone (agricultural equipment), Sennheiser (microphones and headphones) and Miele, takes the form of a manifesto.
Reiterating the need for a pluralistic, open and Europe-oriented German society, the manifesto calls for democratic engagement.
The issue of workforce diversity for German companies is not just a matter of posturing. There is a shortage of qualified employees in many critical sectors and the number of vacant positions is set to reach two million by 2023.
A major breakthrough for the far right confirmed in the European elections
The response of the leader of the AfD in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, a radical figure in the party, was not long in coming. Denouncing what he said was “pure hypocrisy”, he pointed to the industrial relocation of some German companies, including Vorwek, which has two factories in France, and Miele, which plans to move all its production to Poland.
During the European elections, several German companies, including the railway company Deutsche Bahn, also tried to raise awareness among their employees about the risks posed by the advance of the AfD.
Of the 96 seats, Germany sent 14 far-right MPs in June, united in the new group Europe of Sovereign Nations (ENS). With 16.5% of the vote, the AfD became the second political force in Germany.
Source: BFM TV
