The CEO of biscuit manufacturer Bahlsen is calling on German companies to make stronger political commitments to ‘democracy’ by distancing themselves from the national-conservative Alternative für Deutschland, which is making major gains across the whole of the country.

Alexander Kühnen accused the right-wing populist party of crossing “clear boundaries” regarding political values, pointing in particular to “positions like remigration” as being “unacceptable to us.”

The businessman based his opposition on economic—rather than social—grounds, saying:

We need skilled workers, we need open trade in Europe, we need stable economic conditions.

Responding, AfD MP Stephan Brandner said that “based on my observations, in recent years, ‘positionings against the AfD’ by corporate leaders often occur shortly before the release of catastrophic company data. So I’m curious…”

Kühnen wants other business leaders to join him, saying they also “bear a responsibility—a significant one—” to “defend” democracy.

Other establishment forces calling for the so-called protection of democracy have suggested unconstitutional measures to keep the party out of power.

But the AfD continues to rise in the polls regardless—or, perhaps, as a result—of these efforts.

One poll last week put the party at 29% nationally, which is just five points behind the combined total of the ruling parties. Co-leader Alice Weidel said this demonstrated that “the political shift is inevitable,” adding: “We will put the interests of our country and our citizens back at the forefront.”

Inzwischen würden 29% der Bürger AfD wählen, während die Regierungsparteien zusammen auf nur noch 34% kommen. Die politische Wende ist unausweichlich – wir werden die Interessen unseres Landes und unserer Bürger wieder in den Vordergrund stellen! pic.twitter.com/cX1IKHeGbW

— Alice Weidel (@Alice_Weidel) May 16, 2026