• 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
  • Wealth Inequality
    Thema Labor & Skilled Workforce, Law & Taxes

    Prof. Daniel Waldenström, Ph.D.: Growth from Below – The Real Driver of Wealth and Equality

    Prof. Daniel Waldenström, Ph.D., is Professor of Economics and Program Director of the research program "Tax and Society" at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) in Stockholm. He is one of the leading economists on the topic of wealth distribution. At our Day of Family Businesses 2026 in Berlin, he spoke with Dr. David Deißner about inequality and about why Sweden has abolished inheritance tax altogether.

    Prof. Daniel Waldenström, Ph.D., is Professor of Economics and Program Director of the research program "Tax and Society" at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) in Stockholm. He is one of the leading economists on the topic of wealth distribution. At our Day of Family Businesses 2026 in Berlin, he spoke with Dr. David Deißner about inequality and about why Sweden has abolished inheritance tax altogether.

  • Inheritance Tax
    Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Inheritance Tax on Business Assets: Prof. Schnellecke Warns of Consequences for the Mittelstand

    Prof. Rolf Schnellecke is the owner of Schnellecke Group, an internationally active family business with around 17,000 employees at approximately 80 locations worldwide. In an interview with the Foundation for Family Businesses, he explains why the exemption rules for business assets are, in his view, necessary.

    Prof. Rolf Schnellecke is the owner of Schnellecke Group, an internationally active family business with around 17,000 employees at approximately 80 locations worldwide. In an interview with the Foundation for Family Businesses, he explains why the exemption rules for business assets are, in his view, necessary.

  • Thema Law & Taxes

    Prof. Daniel Waldenström Ph.D. at the 2026 Family Business Day – Inheritance Tax, Inequality, Wealth Accumulation

    Does a market economy make societies more unequal? At the 2026 Family Business Day (Tag des Familienunternehmens), Prof. Daniel Waldenström, Ph.D., delivers a surprising answer.

    Does a market economy make societies more unequal? At the 2026 Family Business Day (Tag des Familienunternehmens), Prof. Daniel Waldenström, Ph.D., delivers a surprising answer.

  • Dr. David Deißner on CNBC: What Germany as a Business Location Needs Now Dr. David Deißner on CNBC: What Germany as a Business Location Needs Now
    Thema Labor & Skilled Workforce, Reducing Bureaucracy, Location Policy

    Dr. David Deißner on CNBC: What Germany as a Business Location Needs Now

    On the occasion of Family Business Day, Dr. David Deißner, Managing Director of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, spoke on CNBC about the economic policy situation in Germany and what the coalition must now deliver.

    On the occasion of Family Business Day, Dr. David Deißner, Managing Director of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, spoke on CNBC about the economic policy situation in Germany and what the coalition must now deliver.

  • Family Businesses: Must Stop the Collapse of Private Investment Family Businesses: Must Stop the Collapse of Private Investment
    Tag des Familienunternehmens
    Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Location Policy

    Family Businesses: Must Stop the Collapse of Private Investment

    Three years without growth, declining investment, growing headwinds: At the "Tag des Familienunternehmens" in Berlin, with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several federal ministers, Germany's family business owners make clear that the time for reform is now.

    Three years without growth, declining investment, growing headwinds: At the "Tag des Familienunternehmens" in Berlin, with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several federal ministers, Germany's family business owners make clear that the time for reform is now.

  • Erbschaftsteuer
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Erbschaftsteuer und Zukunftsfähigkeit: Was Start-ups und Familienunternehmen gemeinsam haben

    Dr. Annika von Mutius hat mit Empion ein KI-Start-up für wertebasiertes Recruiting mitaufgebaut – und entstammt auch einer traditionsreichen Unternehmerfamilie mit mehr als 150 Jahren Geschichte. Im Gespräch mit der Stiftung Familienunternehmen und Politik erklärt sie, warum diese Doppelperspektive ihren Blick auf die Erbschaftsteuer prägt und welche Reformen sie sich von der Politik wünscht.

    Dr. Annika von Mutius hat mit Empion ein KI-Start-up für wertebasiertes Recruiting mitaufgebaut – und entstammt auch einer traditionsreichen Unternehmerfamilie mit mehr als 150 Jahren Geschichte. Im Gespräch mit der Stiftung Familienunternehmen und Politik erklärt sie, warum diese Doppelperspektive ihren Blick auf die Erbschaftsteuer prägt und welche Reformen sie sich von der Politik wünscht.

  • "Our economy is slowly bleeding out" – Four Family Entrepreneurs in FOCUS's Major Summit Conversation "Our economy is slowly bleeding out" – Four Family Entrepreneurs in FOCUS's Major Summit Conversation
    Thema EU & Internal Market, Labor & Skilled Workforce, Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    "Our economy is slowly bleeding out" – Four Family Entrepreneurs in FOCUS's Major Summit Conversation

    Over-regulation, a lack of investment incentives, and capital migrating abroad: in FOCUS's major summit conversation, four family business owners speak frankly about Germany as a business location. What they are calling for — and what they expect.

    Over-regulation, a lack of investment incentives, and capital migrating abroad: in FOCUS's major summit conversation, four family business owners speak frankly about Germany as a business location. What they are calling for — and what they expect.

  • Dr. David Deißner on Phoenix Runde: Family Businesses Are the Foundation of the Common Good Dr. David Deißner on Phoenix Runde: Family Businesses Are the Foundation of the Common Good

    Dr. David Deißner on Phoenix Runde: Family Businesses Are the Foundation of the Common Good

    Am 30. April 2026 war Dr. David Deißner, Geschäftsführer unserer Stiftung, zu Gast in der phoenix runde. Unter der Moderation von Anke Plättner diskutierte er mit Helena Steinhaus (Sanktionsfrei e.V.), der SPD-Bundestagsabgeordneten Annika Klose und Kay Gottschalk, dem finanzpolitischem Sprecher der AfD-Fraktion, über das Thema „Arm und Reich in Deutschland - Die große Ungerechtigkeit?“.

    Am 30. April 2026 war Dr. David Deißner, Geschäftsführer unserer Stiftung, zu Gast in der phoenix runde. Unter der Moderation von Anke Plättner diskutierte er mit Helena Steinhaus (Sanktionsfrei e.V.), der SPD-Bundestagsabgeordneten Annika Klose und Kay Gottschalk, dem finanzpolitischem Sprecher der AfD-Fraktion, über das Thema „Arm und Reich in Deutschland - Die große Ungerechtigkeit?“.

  • Debate in taz: Is Germany a Just Society? Debate in taz: Is Germany a Just Society?
    Erbschaftsteuer
    Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Debate in taz: Is Germany a Just Society?

    Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer, Board Member of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, debates Kevin Kühnert of Finanzwende (a German civic finance watchdog) on wealth distribution, inheritance tax, and what fairness means in practice. Two positions — clearly argued, sharply opposed. Read the full German interview in taz now.

    Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer, Board Member of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, debates Kevin Kühnert of Finanzwende (a German civic finance watchdog) on wealth distribution, inheritance tax, and what fairness means in practice. Two positions — clearly argued, sharply opposed. Read the full German interview in taz now.

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