Too woke? Resignations and terminations at the Allianz Foundation

The Allianz Foundation is one of the most progressive corporate foundations in Germany. But since the company dropped its director Esra Küçük, many have asked themselves: Has the insurance foundation’s involvement become too sensitive?

Berlin, Pariser Platz: There is hardly a more representative address in Germany. Accordingly, the “Allianz Forum” stands here between the Brandenburg Gate and the French Embassy. But the 1990s pomp is deceptive. One of the most progressive German corporate foundations, the Allianz Foundation, works in the building. Or should we say: worked? Critics fear that the time when the foundation supported climate protection NGOs, human rights lawyers and dissidents may just be coming to an end. Is one of the largest German companies reacting to the changing social climate? And if so, what does that mean for other civil society institutions?