The organization in question is restructuring. - Würth Warns: Increased AfD Popularity Threatens German Investments
Famous businessman Reinhold Würth, nicknamed the "Screw King," voiced his disapproval of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's results in the European Parliament elections and is contemplating potential repercussions for his company's presence in Germany. The group managed to obtain 20.6% of the votes in Künzelsau (Hohenlohekreis), a stronghold for the party and the location of the corporation's headquarters. Speaking on Deutschlandfunk, Würth mentioned, "If this pattern continues at 20%, we as merchants must exercise caution in where and how we invest." This is a significant turning point for the Würth company, prompting them to analyze further whether they should make more significant investments in Germany, or relocate to other countries.
The 89-year-old billionaire and Würth company's chairman, with over 27,000 employees in Germany, explained his reasoning by referencing the AfD's calls for repatriation. In the context of right-wing extremists, repatriation typically suggests that a vast number of people of foreign origin should depart the country, even with coercion. Würth commented on Deutschlandfunk on Thursday, "We would run into significant issues if we didn't have our international employees." He believes that roughly 30% of the workforce is of foreign origin, implying that their departure would result in a catastrophe.
Before the election, Würth had warned his German employees not to support the AfD. In a five-page letter, the family-owned business leader cautioned them against expressing their frustration with the traffic light government through the AfD. Würth expressed in the Deutschlandfunk broadcast on Thursday, "No one should go hungry or freeze in Germany. It's just a normal situation for people to have a relatively free life here." Würth's career started when he began an apprenticeship in his father's small business at the age of 14. He assumed control of the company from his father in 1954 at the age of 19. The trading firm now employs more than 87,000 employees globally, as stated in official statements.
