Economic researchers demand: Companies must take a stand against right-wing extremism in order to protect jobs and avoid a shortage of skilled workers.

Economic researchers demand: Companies must take a stand against right-wing extremism in order to protect jobs and avoid a shortage of skilled workers.

According to a report by www.tagesschau.de,

The current appeal from some leading economists is directed at the German economy to take a stronger public stance against right-wing extremism and the AfD. Companies and business associations have a responsibility to recognize the seriousness of this threat and to take their position clearly. DIW President Marcel Fratzscher emphasizes that millions of jobs and Germany as a location are at risk if the AfD prevails. He demands that companies and the economy as a whole must position themselves against the right, as politics alone cannot fix this.

The director of the employer-related German Economic Institute (IW), Michael Hüther, also warned of the negative consequences for companies of a further rise in right-wing extremism. At the same time, he praised the large participation in the demonstrations against the right and emphasized the need for openness instead of isolation, also from an economic perspective. Numerous companies such as Edeka, Adidas, Telekom and Zalando have already taken a clear stance against right-wing extremism, and smaller companies are also taking part in these efforts, sometimes quite creatively.

Labor Minister Heil also warns of the locational risks posed by the AfD and the damage to Saxony's image. The economy in Saxony is now confronted with the problem that it is becoming more difficult to get people excited about Saxony as a place to live in view of the AfD survey results.

These clear statements from economists and the measures already taken by some companies are having a profound impact on the market and the financial sector. Companies that take a stand against right-wing extremism could experience positive effects in the form of increased consumer trust and an associated increase in sales. On the other hand, there is a risk that companies that do not take a clear position will lose trust and customers. The economy as a whole could be significantly affected by a rise in the AfD and right-wing extremism, as this could exacerbate the skills shortage and make international trade more difficult. Overall, companies and the economy as a whole should take the economists' recommendations seriously and actively position themselves against right-wing extremism.