Chairwoman of the Solingen Medium-Sized Businesses and Economy Union elected to state board

The Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion (MIT) North Rhine-Westphalia held its state delegates' conference in Mönchengladbach over the weekend. Key political figures, including Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and Interior Minister Herbert Reul, attended the event. The gathering highlighted the organisation’s focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses, often called the backbone of Germany’s economy.

During the conference, Angela Erwin was re-elected as state chairwoman of the MIT with strong support. Hendrik Wüst, who already serves as North Rhine-Westphalia’s minister-president, was also named honorary chairman of the organisation.

Gerlinde Steingruber, a representative from Solingen, took on a new role as a deputy member of the MIT’s state executive board. She had previously been appointed to the Solingen City Council and currently holds the position of Deputy State Chairwoman for the MIT in North Rhine-Westphalia. In her remarks, Steingruber emphasised the need for decisive political action in today’s challenging economic climate. The event underscored the importance of a thriving Mittelstand for maintaining Germany’s social market economy, a system originally shaped by Ludwig Erhard. Delegates discussed how small and medium-sized enterprises drive growth at local, regional, and national levels. Last year, Gitta Connemann, the federal chairwoman of the MIT, visited Solingen, reinforcing the organisation’s engagement with businesses in the region.

The conference concluded with a clear message: strong political backing for the Mittelstand remains essential. Steingruber’s election to the state executive board and Wüst’s new honorary role signal ongoing commitment to economic stability. The MIT continues to advocate for policies that support small and medium-sized businesses across North Rhine-Westphalia.