More than 50 companies have written an incendiary letter to politicians – out of concern for the economy, the climate and democracy. Between the lines the message to the government and opposition is: pull yourself together.
Large German companies rarely make political statements. Assessments of the general political situation and concrete demands on politicians that go beyond the specific interests of companies – if so, then something like this tends to come from associations. In this respect, the “company appeal”, initiated by the KlimaWirtschaft Foundation and signed by 54 companies, is something special.
The appeal was signed by, among others, the industrial group Thyssenkrupp, the sporting goods manufacturer Puma, the energy company EnBW, the drugstore chains dm and Rossmann, the steel group Salzgitter, the household appliance manufacturer Miele, the trading company Otto, the Frankfurt airport operator Fraport, the steel group Salzgitter and the chemical company Wacker.
Companies are calling for the debt brake to be relaxed
In the corporate appeal, the signatory companies join the discussion about the debt brake. They demand “further development”. In plain language: an easing that allows the state to take on more new debt. The argument: In order to transform the economy in a climate-friendly way, “massive – especially financial – resources” would be needed. This requires a suitable “budget policy framework” to enable government investments, which then stimulate private investments.
The criticism of the debt brake in its current form is notable because the companies are contradicting the Union parties and the FDP, which are generally closer to them than the SPD and the Greens. It is also noteworthy that the company appeal with criticism and demands is not only aimed at the traffic light government, but also explicitly at the opposition.
The list of signatories
More than 50 companies support the corporate appeal, which is entitled: “Transformation as a project of the century: What the economy needs from politics”.
Signed by: Ritter Sport, Alterric, Augustinum, Aurubis, Baufritz, Schwäbisch Hall, Bilfinger, BNP Paribas, Daikin, Deutsche Telekom, Rossmann, dm, EnBW, Encavis, Encory, Enpal, E.ON, Eppendorf, EWE, Fraport, GLS Bank, Goldbeck, Heidelberg Materials, Hermes, Hoffmann + Voss, Hugo Boss, IKEA, Interseroh, Naturstrom, Meyer Burger, Miele, Otto Group, Otto Fuchs, Varel, Phoenix Contact, Puma, Salzgitter AG, Schüco, Schwan Stabilo, SMA, Stadwerke München, Strabag, Ströer, Sunfire, TeamBank, Thermondo, ThyssenKrupp, Triodos Bank, Union Investment, Vaude, VR Payment, VTG, Wacker, Zinq.
“Green” transformation as an opportunity – criticism of politics
The signatory companies are committed to the climate-neutral restructuring of the economy (“transformation”) and do not emphasize the risks, but rather the possibilities. However, “neither the government nor the opposition” is able to provide opportunities for “competitiveness, resilience, good jobs and prosperity.”
In addition, according to the companies’ assessment, there are “lapses in German economic, energy and environmental policy”. The consequence: “social explosive power” that the “new right” is taking advantage of, which threatens both democracy and Germany’s economic performance.
The fact that the company’s appeal is aimed both at the traffic lights and at the opposition (obviously only referring to the CDU and CSU) runs like a common thread through the paper. The companies are of the opinion that “cross-party solidarity between the democratic parties” is necessary, especially since the political framework for the climate-neutral restructuring of the economy must also survive any changes in government.
Aldi Süd and Deutsche Bahn have not signed
The companies that have signed the appeal to politicians are largely sponsors of the KlimaWirtschaft Foundation (formerly: “Stiftung 2°”), but non-members such as Ritter Sport, Ikea and E.ON are also there. On the other hand, there are also supporting members of the KlimaWirtschaft Foundation who have not signed the company appeal – Aldi Süd and Deutsche Bahn.
Aldi Süd mentions when asked ARD capital studios no specific reason for not signing. However, the company is part of the KlimaWirtschaft Foundation out of conviction and is actively involved in projects that specifically affect the food retail sector. When asked, Deutsche Bahn stated that the ClimateWirtschaft Foundation had shown its stance with its appeal. The railway did not give a reason for not signing.
The KlimaWirtschaft Foundation assumes that other companies will join the appeal of the 54 companies. Board member Sabine Nallinger said this ARD capital studiothe joint appeal clearly shows that the economy is committed to transformation and to Germany as a location.