German chemicals boss criticizes companies’ ties to far-right AfD
The chief executive of German chemicals company Evonik has criticized growing ties between medium-sized businesses and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
“There is a tendency among small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to align themselves with the AfD’s positions,” Christian Kullmann said in an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel on Sunday.
“I consider this to be disastrous and urge the industry as a whole to make a clear statement: not with them!”
Kullmann said he was “dismayed and really angry” about the situation with the anti-immigrant AfD, which has become Germany’s largest opposition party despite coming under investigation by domestic intelligence services for extremist views.
“Many voters now prefer an authoritarian clean-up to democratic discourse,” said the 56-year-old Kullmann, whose company generated sales of €15.2 billion ($18 billion) in 2024 and employs over 30,000 people.
One reason for this development is the fear of losing prosperity and social decline, Kullmann said. “That’s exactly why it’s so important to strengthen our industry.”
The comments came months after the Association of Family Businesses invited AfD representatives to a reception in Berlin, prompting fury from the trade group’s members.
Meanwhile, dairy entrepreneur Theo Müller has faced criticism for his ties to AfD leader Alice Weidel in a public campaign. The 86-year-old has denied being a member of the party or having financed it.
