Saxony-Anhalt: Employers warn of “climate of isolation” after AfD election victory

After the AfD election victory in Saxony-Anhalt, employers are warning about the economic consequences of the election outcome. “A climate of isolation is poison for the location,” said Steffen Kampeter, managing director of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), to the dpa news agency.

The democratic center received a “strong slap in the face” in the election, added the former CDU member of the Bundestag. »This result must be an incentive to regain trust and prove that politics can solve problems. People are tired of empty phrases. But they also don't want to be seduced with easy answers. Politics must convince with substance – and with results.«

The AfD with top candidate Ulrich Siegmund is aiming for government after its strong performance in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. For the first time since the end of the Second World War, a party classified as right-wing extremist could come to power in a federal state - if it finds supporters. The CDU under Prime Minister Sven Schulze lost massive amounts of votes.

Kampeter said: “No election result makes wrong economic policy right. Germany needs open markets, international skilled workers, investments and a reliable Europe. Anyone who questions the euro and the European Union and seeks proximity to Russia is acting against the interests of companies and employees.

The general manager of the BDI industry association, Tanja Gönner, called on the federal government to be more zealous for reforms after the state elections. “The answer to this state election result must not be a political standstill in the federal government,” Gönner told the Germany editorial network. Right now it is important that the federal government resolutely implements and expands a reform agenda for more investment, innovation and growth.