"The debate was sparked back in October when a business association named Die Familienunternehmer (The Family Entrepreneurs) invited representatives of the AfD to its parliamentary evening in Berlin for the first time. In the words of its president Marie-Christine Ostermann, the association thus lifted a national "contact ban" on the party that has been classified as "far-right and partially right-wing extremist" by Germany's domestic intelligence agency."
""Engaging in discussion with someone who thinks differently is not the same as accepting their positions. Talking does not mean working together." Ostermann told the German public broadcaster ZDF The time is ripe to talk to members of the AfD, says Marie-Christine Ostermann, president of the business association "Die Familienunternehmer" (The Family Entrepreneurs)Image: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture alliance that it was necessary to challenge the party on its policies."
Die Familienunternehmer invited AfD representatives to a parliamentary evening in Berlin, effectively lifting a national contact ban. The AfD has been classified as far-right and partially right-wing extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence agency. Die Familienunternehmer states that the AfD's worldview conflicts with beliefs in freedom and market economy but supports debating AfD policies to challenge perceived empty or contradictory positions. Association president Marie-Christine Ostermann said engaging with differing views does not equal accepting them. The association represents 180,000 family businesses employing about 8 million people. Member reactions are mixed, with some publicly exiting and overall feedback unspecified.
Read at www.dw.com
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