Richard Lutz asserts that a united Europe brings prosperity, freedom, and peace for all, but these values are under threat. He calls for increased commitment from politics and businesses to support Europe, urging people to vote in June.
Growing up in the Palatinate region, the US base in Ramstein was just around the corner for me. The presence of Americans and the security guarantee they provided for an increasingly interconnected Europe seemed natural. Travelling across Europe for chess tournaments as a teenager or simply shopping in neighboring France felt routine, instilling in me the belief that a united Europe fosters prosperity, freedom, and peace for everyone.
Admist the backdrop of this increasingly cohesive and borderless Europe, the Brexit came as a shock. As a staunch European, I cannot fathom turning my back on the European Union (EU) and what it represents. As a business leader, I fail to comprehend willingly relinquishing the benefits of a common economic area. The repercussions hit close to home for us at Deutsche Bahn: our plans for an IPO of our subsidiary DB Arriva in London were abruptly halted overnight, causing significant financial losses.
Since then, antidemocratic currents have been on the rise across Europe, with right-wing populist parties assuming governmental roles in many places. Further integration of Europe has stalled, and isolationist tendencies are on the uptick. The American NATO commitment and security guarantee for Europe are no longer assured with the possibility of a second term Donald Trump. The conviction that imperial wars are a thing of the past in Europe are proven false, deeply unsettling us all.
These developments underscore how fragile the foundation has become upon which our prosperity, freedom and peace stand. They are developments we cannot afford to accept. Inaction is not an option. Inaction means threatening the existence of the European idea. We must act!
Businesses, like individuals and governments, also bear responsibility. The days when Milton Friedman’s statement “the business of business is business” held sway are long gone. Companies are part of society and have a role in societal debates and issues. They must be judged by the contribution they make to society’s functioning.
Therefore, we unequivocally oppose all antidemocratic and anti-European attempts, intentions, and currents. Our employees, as well as all travelers who use our trains and routes across Germany and Europe daily, should know what we stand for: tolerance and democracy, freedom, and Europe. Because inaction is always a stance.
Economically, a divergence in Europe would be disastrous. The European single market is crucial, especially for Germany. Like many others, Deutsche Bahn is a European company: 60 percent of our freight trains cross at least one national border. We collaborate with other European railways to further tighten Europe’s integration on the rail.
“I want my children and future generations to retain the privilege of growing up and growing old in peace, freedom and prosperity.” Richard Lutz
I want my children and future generations to retain the privilege of growing up and growing old in peace, freedom and prosperity. This is impossible without a strong united Europe with clear values. This is impossible without open borders, without a European single market, without European economic, security and climate policies. Europe is a privilege we must protect! We have a choice. We should all exercise this right. That is why I’ll be casting my vote in the European elections in June.
The Author: Richard Lutz is the CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG (DB).
This article is part of a series of contributions by German entrepreneurs for the European elections, published by Handelsblatt in cooperation with United Europe.