Kaeser warns protest voters
“Anyone who votes for AfD is choosing a loss of prosperity”
January 20, 2024, 10:48 a.m
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Former Siemens boss Kaeser is one of the few top managers who have publicly opposed right-wing extremism for years. In light of reports of a meeting of right-wing circles in Potsdam, the 66-year-old is worried about democracy. He urgently calls his business colleagues to task.
The chairman of the supervisory board of Siemens Energy, Joe Kaeser, warns of right-wing extremism in Germany and demands a clear commitment against it from the leaders of the state, business and society. “After 1933, there was a time when the economic and social elite could still have taken a position against the course of the Nazi regime,” he said. But back then most people were silent. “We must not repeat this mistake. I am really worried about our democracy.” He will take part in the demonstrations against right-wing extremism that are currently taking place in many cities.
Referring to reports about a meeting of right-wing extremists in Potsdam, he said: “If everything is true as reported, then that is absolutely disgusting.” At the conference, which was also attended by AfD officials and a CDU member, mass deportations of people of foreign origin were said to have been discussed.
The word “remigration” sounds almost harmless and seems to address an urgent problem in the country, namely the “so far not well solved” migration policy, said the ex-Siemens boss. Ultimately, what is meant is the deportation of millions of people with a migration background. “This triggers bitter memories,” he warned.
People’s uncertainty and frustration certainly have to be taken seriously, said Kaeser. But everyone who wanted to protest by voting for the AfD should be aware of the consequences. Understanding, tolerance and respect are the basis for the free basic order of Germany and its society. “Anyone who votes for the AfD is choosing to lose the prosperity of our country and its citizens,” said Kaeser, who is also chairman of the supervisory board of the truck manufacturer Daimler Truck.
You pay a price when you warn about the dangers, Kaeser added, alluding to threats against his family after earlier criticism of right-wing extremists. “But I don’t want to be accused of keeping quiet when there was still time to correct things.” That is the lesson from German history.
Most recently, the bosses of the chip manufacturer Infineon, the chemical company Evonik and Düsseldorf Airport warned against racism and hate speech. However, the AfD, which is now at more than 20 percent in surveys nationwide, is usually not directly mentioned in the statements. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they want to issue a public warning, said Kaeser, pointing out that managers are often senior executives of a company that doesn’t belong to them. “That’s why owner-managed companies usually have more weight and credibility in society,” he said.
“But in my opinion, leading managers of large and global companies have a duty to point out the connections between prosperity, economy, growth and international cooperation and to explain them to people in an understandable way,” he emphasized. We have to make it clear what consequences a rise of the AfD would have. “We are all challenged – especially the managers who know these economic relationships,” added Kaeser. There is a responsibility of managers.
The head of the supervisory board also warned of enormous damage to the image of the “Made in Germany” brand as a result of AfD election successes. “Our customers and investors outside of Germany are watching very closely to see whether Germany shows its ugly national face again and isolates itself in the free world,” said Kaeser.
Kaeser has commented on political issues several times in recent years and has spoken out in favor of voting for the Greens in the 2021 federal election. He opposed a ban on the AfD. “You would probably only stylize a perpetrator as a victim,” he warned. It is particularly unfortunate when leading politicians in the traffic light coalition call for a ban. “It would be better if this energy were used for better policies for our citizens,” said Kaeser.