Audi CEO at Trump rally: Left Party demands resignation, IG Metall calls it "embarrassing"

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner's appearance at a campaign event for U.S. President Donald Trump in Georgia has sparked strong criticism in Germany. Audi confirmed a multibillion-dollar investment in its first U.S. plant at the event; according to t-online, the factory is to cost $4.2 billion and build 200,000 cars a year.

Left Party leader Luigi Pantisano told t-online that Döllner "must step down." IG Metall union chief Christiane Benner called the appearance "politically unacceptable" and "embarrassing." Volkswagen group works council head Daniela Cavallo accused Döllner of helping Trump's campaign. According to dpa, Audi's neutrality rules provide that the company does not take part in high-profile events with candidates in the last three months before elections. SPD transport policy spokeswoman Isabel Cademartori called it "a disgrace."

The German government declined to assess the appearance. "As a matter of principle, we do not comment on such business decisions," deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille said. Benner stressed that the final decision on the plant will be made by Volkswagen AG's supervisory board; according to Cavallo, it is still pending.