Democracy Charter Expands with New Corporate Signatories
Six additional companies, including BNP Paribas Germany and Deutsche Bank, signed the "Charta der Demokratie" (Democracy Charter) in Frankfurt on June 15, 2026. Initiated by KfW, the charter promotes democratic values and local political engagement.
Frankfurt, Germany – June 15, 2026 – The "Charta der Demokratie" (Democracy Charter), an initiative launched by German development bank KfW, has welcomed six new corporate signatories. BNP Paribas Germany, Deutsche Bank, Kommunale Versorgungskassen (KVK) Kurhessen-Waldeck, management consultancy plenum AG, law firm Schalast, and energy services provider Techem all signed the initiative's guidelines in Frankfurt today.
The charter aims to strengthen democratic principles within corporate cultures and support employees' involvement in local politics. This follows an initial group of signatories from January 2026, which included entities like Deutsche Börse Group and PwC Germany. The initiative operates under the patronage of the Hessian State Chancellery.
Each participating company independently implements the charter's principles, guided by shared objectives. These include fostering democratic values in corporate culture, encouraging employee participation in municipal politics, and promoting respectful dialogue on democratic topics. The initiative has also facilitated an exchange among participants, resulting in a shared toolkit offering practical approaches and inspiration for implementation.
"It is a very strong and encouraging signal that more companies in Hesse are joining the 'Democracy Charter.' Democracy thrives when companies and individuals are willing to take responsibility—especially at the local level in cities, municipalities, and districts," stated KfW CEO Stefan Wintels. Karin Müller, State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs in the Hessian State Chancellery, highlighted the initiative's role in providing employees the space to engage in local politics.