SPD (Germany's leading party) is being sponsored by Pfizer and Microsoft

The SPD's party congress which took place on 2021-12-11 was sponsored by a consortium of shady entreprises.

According to the SPD's guidelines, this is what sponsoring is all about:

>Sponsorship is a permissible form of party financing. Against the background of decreasing income and increasing expenditure, sponsorship is essential for us. We understand sponsorship as the offer of a promotional appearance to companies and associations. In return, we receive a financial benefit or a benefit in kind or service. Performance and consideration must be in an appropriate relationship to each other. (…) The presentation as an exhibitor is the most frequent form of sponsoring at the SPD. In particular, the exhibitor area is part of the overall image of a federal party conference. There, the party's branches, party-affiliated organisations and non-governmental organisations as well as associations and business enterprises present themselves. (…) The rent paid by exhibitors from the business sector and their associations helps to finance the federal party conference. (…) As a party, we are happy to engage in discussion. The purpose of the exhibitors' area is the exchange of information and arguments in personal discussions".

The sponsors represent different economic sectors: Housing and Real Estate Companies, Insurances, SPD owned media companies, German Post DHL, Deutsche Telekom, Banks…

But curious among the sponsors is the overrepresentaion of the energy and pharmaceutical sector, with Microsoft as the cherry on top.

I will post translations for the SPD's description of these sponsors, starting with pharmaceutical and medical companies:

>Pfizer Germany GmbH

Pfizer - Breakthroughs that change patients' lives

To ensure that people have access to therapies that extend and significantly improve their lives, Pfizer relies on science and leverages our global resources. Our ambition is to set the standard in the discovery, development and manufacture of innovative medicines and vaccines - in terms of their quality, safety and benefit to patients. Making a difference for everyone who relies on us is what we've been doing for more than 170 years.

Pfizer is headquartered in New York. In Germany, more than 2500 employees work at three locations: Berlin, Freiburg and Karlsruhe. The plant in Freiburg is a pioneer in sustainability and Industry 4.0.

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>Die Arzneimittel-Importeure e.V. (Pharmaceutical Importers Association)

"Die Arzneimittel-Importeure" is an initiative of the German drug importers' associations BAI and VAD, which unite all the important representatives of the industry under one roof. We take a stand with one voice on issues in this important segment of the health care market.

Imported medicines are original preparations of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers and just as safe - only cheaper. To this end, we take advantage of the price differences in the individual EU countries. The import of medicines is regulated by law. It relieves patients and health insurers of 4.8 billion euros per year.

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>Mail-order pharmacy Doc Morris

The DocMorris healthcare platform is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Swiss Zur Rose Group, which generated revenues of €1,022.5 million in the Germany segment in 2020 with currently over 10 million active customers. The platform encompasses all activities related to digital holistic healthcare - from the diagnosis at the online doctor's visit to the pharmaceutical consultation and the required medication, healthcare product or digital solution. In this way, the DocMorris healthcare platform creates easy access to all healthcare services in one place for its customers - with just one click.

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>Association of Osteopaths Germany e.V.

Increasing interest in osteopathy - Germany's first and largest professional association for

Germany's first and largest professional association for osteopaths informs, educates and advocates for patient safety and consumer protection.

Almost 15 million German citizens have already received osteopathic treatment. Practised by qualified

practised by qualified osteopaths, it is effective and practically free of side effects. For patient and

and consumer protection, the VOD calls for a professional regulation.

The energy sector is especially obsessed with (((renewables)))

>Agentur für Erneuerbare Energien (Agency for Renewable Energies)

System upgrade. Environmental protection. More value for all. The Agency for Renewable Energies e.V. has been convincing people of the energy transition for over 15 years. We present the opportunities and advantages of a sustainable energy supply and promote greater acceptance within society. As experts in scientific analysis, energy economics and policy, as well as communication professionals and event managers, we work to get people excited about the expansion of renewable energies.

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>Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e.V. (German Association of the Energy and Water Industries (BDEW))

The Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), Berlin, and its regional organisations represent over 1,900 companies. The spectrum of members ranges from local and municipal to regional and supraregional companies. They represent about 90 percent of electricity sales and a good 60 percent of local and district heating sales, 90 percent of natural gas sales, more than 90 percent of energy grids as well as 80 percent of drinking water production and about one third of wastewater disposal in Germany.

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>Bundesverband Windenergie e.V. (German Wind Energy Association)

Wind energy is the mainstay of the energy transition. The sector not only offers innovative solutions for the sustainable transformation of the energy industry, but also creates diverse and future-proof jobs. The German Wind Energy Association invites the SPD's elected representatives to set a new standard for innovation, employment, social security and climate protection with 100 percent renewable energies in the industrialised country of Germany.

>German Business Initiative for Energy Efficiency (DENEFF)

The German Business Initiative for Energy Efficiency (DENEFF) has been the political voice of the kilowatt hour saved for over 10 years. And all experts agree: energy efficiency is the key to a successful energy transition. However, in order to also achieve the climate goals agreed in the coalition agreement, significant energy efficiency progress is necessary - because renewable energies must not be wasted either, so that energy remains affordable for everyone in the future. The necessary technologies for the efficient energy transition already exist today - and in Germany alone, over 600,000 people are employed in the energy efficiency sector.

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>E.ON SE

E.ON is an international energy company headquartered in Essen, Germany, with a focus on the business areas of energy networks and customer solutions. As one of Europe's largest energy companies, E.ON plays a leading role in shaping a green, digital and decentralised energy world. To this end, around 78,000 employees develop and sell products and solutions for private, commercial and industrial customers. More than 50 million customers buy electricity, gas, digital products or solutions for electromobility, energy efficiency and climate protection from E.ON.

>Mittelstandsverband abfallbasierter Kraftstoffe e.V. (Medium-sized association of waste-based fuels )

Climate Protection. Environmental protection. Health protection. Used cooking oils are the most important feedstock for the production of waste-based biodiesel. Their improper disposal pollutes the environment and leads to the formation of so-called grease mountains in the sewage system. If they get back into the food cycle, overused cooking oils can harm health. Our members collect used cooking oils from restaurants, the food industry and households. And they use them to produce a waste-based biodiesel that reduces CO2 emissions from road transport by over 90%.

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>Zukunft Gas e.V.

Zukunft Gas is the initiative of the German gas industry. It bundles the interests of the industry and speaks out to the public, politicians and consumers. Together with its members, the initiative works to ensure that the potential of the energy carrier and the existing gas infrastructure is utilised and provides information about the opportunities and possibilities that natural gas and green gas such as hydrogen and biogas offer for our society. The initiative is supported by leading companies in the gas industry. Industry associations and the heating appliance industry support Zukunft Gas as partners.

Among the miscellaneous sponsors are:

>Microsoft Germany GmbH

Microsoft is the world's leading manufacturer of standard software, services and solutions. Microsoft Deutschland GmbH was founded in 1983 as the German branch of Microsoft Corporation. Our mission is to empower every person and every company on the planet to achieve more. Security and reliability, innovation and integration as well as openness and interoperability are at the heart of the development of all Microsoft products. This can only be mastered together, which is why diversity and inclusion have been firmly anchored in the corporate culture since the beginning.

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>Wirtschaftliche Vereinigung Zucker e.V.

The Wirtschaftliche Vereinigung Zucker (WVZ) represents the interests of beet growers, sugar-producing companies and the sugar trade. The sugar industry in Germany contributes to valuable jobs and income in rural areas. Our sugar production conserves resources through optimal recycling management and we are committed to the climate targets for 2045. With beet cultivation, we also promote diversity in the field. In short: sugar from beet is a regional product from nature that is produced to the best environmental and social standards.

https://parteitag.spd.de