Böttcher AG Dismisses Board Member Over Controversial AfD Donation

Company founder Udo Böttcher demands repayment of nearly €1 million after board member Horst Jan Winter used gifted funds to support the far-right party without approval.

Horst Jan Winter, a board member of Böttcher AG, was dismissed after it was revealed he donated €999,990 to the far-right AfD party using funds gifted by company founder Udo Böttcher.
Böttcher claims the €2 million gift was intended to support Winter's experimental medical treatments and was not expected to be used for political donations.
The donation has drawn public backlash, with some customers reportedly closing their accounts with Böttcher AG in protest.
Böttcher has revoked the gift due to 'gross ingratitude' and is demanding the return of the donated amount, threatening legal action if repayment is not made within a week.
The Bundestagsverwaltung is reviewing the legality of the donation, while the AfD maintains it was legitimate and has no plans to return the funds.

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung