Direct, open exchange between business and politics is crucial for medium-sized companies. On Friday, April 10, 2026, at noon, we had the pleasure of welcoming CDU politician Gitta Connemann and other attending CDU politicians to our facilities at SEGLER in Berge for an intensive economic policy dialogue. Initiated and specifically requested by Ellen Keck-Wolterding (Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion, MIT, Osnabrücker Land), this created an important platform to discuss the pressing issues facing regional medium-sized businesses and beyond.
Who is Gitta Connemann?
Gitta Connemann is the Federal Government's Commissioner for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Federal Chairwoman of the Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion (MIT). Anyone who wants to make a difference in economic policy cannot ignore her.
Exchange instead of campaign rhetoric
In addition to Gitta Connemann, other CDU politicians from the region participated in the dialogue at our Berge, including Lutz Brinkmann (Member of the German Bundestag) and Christian Calderone (Member of the State Parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate). We also invited other entrepreneurs from the surrounding area to address economic issues across various industries.
The discussions centered on the economic policy framework that affects medium-sized businesses in the region on a daily basis – from reducing bureaucracy and energy costs to issues of securing the location. Our aim was to address these topics clearly and factually. Because only those who understand the entrepreneurial perspective can make reliable political decisions.
Political neutrality as a corporate principle
We operate as a politically neutral company. We engage with all democratic parties and advocate for reliable framework conditions for Germany as a business location. It was our condition for this meeting that the substantive exchange take center stage and that the event not take on an election campaign character. We demonstrate this stance continuously: Last year we welcomed the Lower Saxony Minister of Economic Affairs, Olaf Lies (SPD), for a comparable dialogue.
After the substantive debate, refreshments with snacks and drinks provided an appropriate setting to conclude the guided discussions. We will consistently demand dialogue with politics in the future as well.