Regional intentional decision-making processes - Edeka suggests avoiding support for AfD: "Picking 'Blue' isn't a wise decision"
Edeka stands firm before Saxony and Thuringia's state elections. The grocery chain publishes a strong statement in "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung", "Die Zeit", and on social media platforms. The advertisement, titled "Why Edeka doesn't go for blue", alludes to the AfD, which has used blue as its party emblem since inception.
The advertisement showcases a vibrant assortment of fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, broccoli, bananas, cherries, and strawberries. The text reads, "The fruit and vegetable section is a riot of colors. Mother Nature has taught us that blue isn't the best option. In Germany, the blues are already posing the greatest risk to a diverse society."
Also in the news this week, the German Retail Association (HDE) shared their concern. President Alexander von Preen urged everyone to vote for democratic parties. "I can only advise all players to steer clear of moving social norms towards exclusion and hate. This path steers society and economy towards a dead end, not a positive future," he expressed.**
Critique of Höcke's Comments on Entrepreneurs
HDE reports there are currently around 120,000 vacant retail positions. "Where will these employees pop up if politicians advocating for exclusion and detachment take charge?" von Preen questioned. He condemned the AfD as dangerous and reckless: "With Björn Höcke, one of the leading figures of the AfD, has once more exposed his desire for insolvency towards family-owned companies publicly supporting a movement for diversity in society and economy."
Von Preen is referring to the campaign "Made in Germany - Made by Diversity" initiated by over 40 German business owners in connection with the election. Companies like drugstore chain Rossmann, chainsaw and garden equipment manufacturer Stihl, food conglomerate Pfeifer & Langen, home appliance manufacturer Vorwerk, and audio specialist Sennheiser are among the participants. Thuringia's AfD top candidate Höcke criticized the campaign at a weekend election event in Sömmerda as hypocrisy, saying, "I hope these companies will face serious, severe economic turmoil."
President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Siegfried Russwurm, also criticized the AfD. He fears the AfD's aggressive xenophobia will worsen the existing skilled labor shortage in Germany. An AfD presence in the government would severely harm the economy and prosperity in Eastern Germany. The party falsely portrays itself as the voice of local small and medium-sized businesses.
Elections are happening in Saxony and Thuringia this Sunday. According to current polls, the AfD is at around 30 percent in both states.
The strong statement from Edeka in various media outlets criticizes the use of blue by the AfD, implying that it doesn't align with their values. Alexander von Preen, the president of the German Retail Association (HDE), urges voters to steer clear of parties advocating for exclusion and hate, directly criticizing the AfD and its leading figure Björn Höcke.
