Historian Dr. Rainer Zitelmann critiques the bourgeoisie’s submission to leftist ideologies, highlighting societal and political consequences.

Dr. Rainer Zitelmann, historian and author of 31 books, examines the phenomenon of ‘Bückbürgertum’ (submissive bourgeoisie) in his analysis of Ulf Poschardt’s critique. Poschardt describes the bourgeoisie’s tendency to conform to leftist and green ideologies, often abandoning their convictions to avoid conflict. This behavior, he argues, is a sign of weakness and opportunism.

Poschardt highlights examples such as former Siemens manager Joe Kaeser offering activist Luisa Neubauer a board position, and FDP minister Volker Wissing inviting climate protesters to his ministry. He criticizes the CDU for surrendering cultural and ideological leadership to the SPD, Greens, and leftist factions. Zitelmann adds that this trend began under Helmut Kohl, leading to the ‘social democratization’ of the CDU. Poschardt calls for a return to principled leadership, citing figures like Axel Springer and Ludwig Erhard as positive examples.