Germany's far-right AfD party is tied for second place in opinion polls ahead of EU Parliament elections. Photo: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFPGermany's biggest companies said Tuesday they have formed an alliance to campaign against extremism ahead of key EU Parliament elections, when the far right is projected to make strong gains.
The alliance of 30 companies includes blue-chip groups like BMW, BASF and Deutsche Bank, a well as family-owned businesses and start-ups."In their first joint campaign, the companies are calling on their combined 1.
The alliance estimates that fast-ageing Germany currently already has 1.73 million unfilled positions, while an additional 200,000 to 400,000 workers would be necessary annually in coming years."For many of them, their work with us, for example in cleaning buildings or geriatric care, is their entry into the primary labour market and therefore the key to successful integration. Hate and exclusion have no place here," he said.
The alliance said it is planning a social media campaign to underline the call against extremism and urged other companies to join its initiative. It added that the campaign will continue after the EU elections, with three eastern German states to vote for regional parliaments in September.