Overview
- The lobby confirmed it invited AfD lawmakers to an October parliamentary evening at Deutsche Bank’s Berlin offices, ending a longstanding ban on contacts.
- Deutsche Bank canceled a future venue agreement after learning AfD representatives were invited to events on its premises.
- The association says it rejects any government role for the AfD and characterizes talks as issue-focused rather than cooperative.
- Melitta said it was very surprised and is reconsidering its membership, while other members issued criticism or declined to comment publicly.
- Major industry groups, including BDI, VDA and BDEW, reiterated distance from the AfD and warned that the party’s program threatens trade, supply chains and energy policy.