AfD gains ground in business, family business association lifts contact ban

The German Association of Family Businesses has lifted its ban on contacts with members of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, signalling the party's growing acceptance in parts of the business community.

The association's president, Marie-Christine Ostermann, said that outrage alone was not enough and that a substantive dialogue was needed as the AfD had the support of around a quarter of the German electorate. However, she stressed that the association continues to reject the party's worldview and its participation in government.

The move represents a turning point in the approach to the party, which has traditionally been excluded from cooperation by parties because of its attitudes. As recently as two years ago, German business leaders warned that the rise of this section of the right was threatening the confidence of foreign investors and the country's reputation. Today, however, the AfD ranks first in some national polls.

Not all business organisations are of the same opinion. The German industry association BDI rejects an active dialogue with the AfD: "The success of German industry is based on stable social and political conditions, which the AfD is trying to shake with its populist attitudes."

(reuters, max)