• We Are Losing the Mittelstand in Rural Germany

    Family businesses anchor rural Germany – but the crisis is hitting hard. Read Dr. David Deißner's guest column in Handelsblatt.

  • Press

    Scrap It – Ideas for Bureaucracy Reduction

    Together with Focus online, Business Punk, and The European, we are launching the "Scrap It" initiative to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy. Every two weeks, our "Ms. Bureaucracy Reduction," Dr. Gisela Meister-Scheufelen, presents proposals on which government regulations, laws, and requirements can be abolished entirely. All ideas are described in practical terms and compiled in a handy publication. Available as an e-book.

News
  • Thema EU & Internal Market, Reducing Bureaucracy, Location Policy

    European Forum for Family Businesses 2026: Less red tape, a stronger Single Market

    At our European Forum for Family Businesses 2026 in Brussels, family entrepreneurs from across Europe met with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The central question: how can Europe regain its competitiveness, and what do family businesses need to thrive?

    At our European Forum for Family Businesses 2026 in Brussels, family entrepreneurs from across Europe met with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The central question: how can Europe regain its competitiveness, and what do family businesses need to thrive?

  • Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Saarland’s Minister-President Anke Rehlinger at a round table on Saarland’s economy, cutting red tape and inheritance tax

    In the interview, Saarland’s Minister-President Anke Rehlinger talks about the Federal Government’s reform agenda, structural change in Saarland and her ideas for reforming inheritance tax.

    In the interview, Saarland’s Minister-President Anke Rehlinger talks about the Federal Government’s reform agenda, structural change in Saarland and her ideas for reforming inheritance tax.

  • Prof Kirchdörfer in an interview with RND: what a higher inheritance tax would mean for family businesses Prof Kirchdörfer in an interview with RND: what a higher inheritance tax would mean for family businesses
    Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Prof Kirchdörfer in an interview with RND: what a higher inheritance tax would mean for family businesses

    Shortly before the hearing at the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, Prof Rainer Kirchdörfer, Member of the Foundation’s Executive Board, sets out in an interview with RND how a tougher inheritance tax would erode the substance of family businesses. His warning: in the end, the state could lose more than it gains.

    Shortly before the hearing at the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, Prof Rainer Kirchdörfer, Member of the Foundation’s Executive Board, sets out in an interview with RND how a tougher inheritance tax would erode the substance of family businesses. His warning: in the end, the state could lose more than it gains.

  • Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Round table with Berlin’s Senator for Finance Stefan Evers at the Haus des Familienunternehmens

    On 18 September 2026, we invited Berlin’s Senator for Finance Stefan Evers to a round table with family business owners at the Haus des Familienunternehmens. He is also the CDU’s lead candidate and Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion. The meeting with owners of small and medium-sized businesses from a range of sectors focused on red tape, approval times, taxes and investment in the capital region.

    On 18 September 2026, we invited Berlin’s Senator for Finance Stefan Evers to a round table with family business owners at the Haus des Familienunternehmens. He is also the CDU’s lead candidate and Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion. The meeting with owners of small and medium-sized businesses from a range of sectors focused on red tape, approval times, taxes and investment in the capital region.

  • inheritance tax
    Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Interview with family business owner Regina Brückner on inheritance tax, liquidity, and commitment to Germany as a business location

    Regina Brückner runs the family business BRÜCKNER Trockentechnik as the second generation. In the interview, she explains why a tougher inheritance tax would become a burden for her company and why she does not regard inherited responsibility as unearned income.

    Regina Brückner runs the family business BRÜCKNER Trockentechnik as the second generation. In the interview, she explains why a tougher inheritance tax would become a burden for her company and why she does not regard inherited responsibility as unearned income.

  • Gitta Connemann makes the case for tax reform and cutting red tape at summer reception Gitta Connemann makes the case for tax reform and cutting red tape at summer reception
    Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Gitta Connemann makes the case for tax reform and cutting red tape at summer reception

    On 10 September 2026, the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics hosted its traditional late-summer reception, ‘La Rentrée’, at the Haus des Familienunternehmens. High above the rooftops of Berlin’s government district, family business owners, Members of the German Bundestag, representatives of the federal ministries and diplomats came together to exchange views as the parliamentary summer recess drew to a close.

    On 10 September 2026, the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics hosted its traditional late-summer reception, ‘La Rentrée’, at the Haus des Familienunternehmens. High above the rooftops of Berlin’s government district, family business owners, Members of the German Bundestag, representatives of the federal ministries and diplomats came together to exchange views as the parliamentary summer recess drew to a close.

  • „Wir stehen zu unseren Wirtschaftsunternehmen“ Ministerpräsident Kretschmer zu Besuch bei Mühle-Glashütte „Wir stehen zu unseren Wirtschaftsunternehmen“ Ministerpräsident Kretschmer zu Besuch bei Mühle-Glashütte
    Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    „Wir stehen zu unseren Wirtschaftsunternehmen“ Ministerpräsident Kretschmer zu Besuch bei Mühle-Glashütte

    Am 2. September 2026 besuchte Sachsens Ministerpräsident Michael Kretschmer die Manufaktur Nautische Instrumente Mühle-Glashütte, um mit Familienunternehmern über Standortbedingungen ins Gespräch zu kommen.

    Am 2. September 2026 besuchte Sachsens Ministerpräsident Michael Kretschmer die Manufaktur Nautische Instrumente Mühle-Glashütte, um mit Familienunternehmern über Standortbedingungen ins Gespräch zu kommen.

  • Inheritance tax
    Thema Labor & Skilled Workforce, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Prof. Dr. Kay Windthorst in conversation with Dr. David Deißner:

    In conversation with our Managing Director Dr. David Deißner, Professor Dr. Kay Windthorst, constitutional law scholar at the University of Bayreuth, explains why distinguishing between business and private assets is crucial for the survival of family businesses and jobs when it comes to inheritance tax.

    In conversation with our Managing Director Dr. David Deißner, Professor Dr. Kay Windthorst, constitutional law scholar at the University of Bayreuth, explains why distinguishing between business and private assets is crucial for the survival of family businesses and jobs when it comes to inheritance tax.

  • We Are Losing the Mittelstand in Rural Germany We Are Losing the Mittelstand in Rural Germany
    Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Location Policy

    We Are Losing the Mittelstand in Rural Germany

    Family businesses anchor rural Germany – but the crisis is hitting hard. Read Dr. David Deißner's guest column in Handelsblatt.

    Family businesses anchor rural Germany – but the crisis is hitting hard. Read Dr. David Deißner's guest column in Handelsblatt.

  • Federal Constitutional Court Schedules Oral Hearing on Inheritance Tax Federal Constitutional Court Schedules Oral Hearing on Inheritance Tax

    Federal Constitutional Court Schedules Oral Hearing on Inheritance Tax

    Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer, Chairman of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, comments:

    Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer, Chairman of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, comments:

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