• 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 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.

  • Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government
    Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government

    Family business owners meet Thuringia's Minister-President Mario Voigt in Erfurt and call on the federal government to deliver a comprehensive reform package before the summer recess. The press release was issued on the occasion of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics event "Family Entrepreneurs in Conversation" (Familienunternehmer im Gespräch).

    Family business owners meet Thuringia's Minister-President Mario Voigt in Erfurt and call on the federal government to deliver a comprehensive reform package before the summer recess. The press release was issued on the occasion of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics event "Family Entrepreneurs in Conversation" (Familienunternehmer im Gespräch).

  • Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances

    When it comes to inheritance tax, business sentiment is unambiguous: 85 percent of companies surveyed are convinced that a distinction between private and business assets must be maintained. This is the finding of a representative ifo survey commissioned by the Foundation for Family Businesses, in which more than 900 family businesses of all sizes participated.

    When it comes to inheritance tax, business sentiment is unambiguous: 85 percent of companies surveyed are convinced that a distinction between private and business assets must be maintained. This is the finding of a representative ifo survey commissioned by the Foundation for Family Businesses, in which more than 900 family businesses of all sizes participated.

  • Erbschaftsteuer
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Andreas Hettich on Inheritance Tax

    Was bedeutet Erbschaftsteuer für ein Unternehmen mit 138 Jahren Geschichte, 8.000 Mitarbeitern und über einer Milliarde Euro Umsatz? Dr. Andreas Hettich, Beiratsvorsitzender der Hettich Unternehmensgruppe, erklärt im Interview, warum die bestehenden Verschonungsregelungen für die Übergabe von Familienunternehmen an die nächste Generation unverzichtbar sind.

    Was bedeutet Erbschaftsteuer für ein Unternehmen mit 138 Jahren Geschichte, 8.000 Mitarbeitern und über einer Milliarde Euro Umsatz? Dr. Andreas Hettich, Beiratsvorsitzender der Hettich Unternehmensgruppe, erklärt im Interview, warum die bestehenden Verschonungsregelungen für die Übergabe von Familienunternehmen an die nächste Generation unverzichtbar sind.

Type of report
Topics
Type of report
Topics