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🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

Employers warn of a “climate of isolation” after AFD election victory

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Context piece
  • Germany's employers' association warned that an isolationist climate after AFD's election victory would harm the country's business location.
  • Employers called for open markets, international skilled workers, investment and a reliable European framework.
  • The BDI urged the federal government to accelerate reforms rather than allow political deadlock.

German employers warned that the AFD's victory in Saxony-Anhalt could carry economic costs, arguing that an “isolationist climate” would damage the country's business location.

Steffen Kampeter, chief executive of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations, said the election had delivered a “strong slap in the face” to the democratic center. He called the result a reason to rebuild trust and demonstrate that politics can solve problems.

An isolationist climate is poison for the business location.

· Steffen KampeterThe employers' association leader warning about the economic consequences of the AFD's election victory.

“People are fed up with empty phrases,” Kampeter told the German Press Agency. “But they also do not want to be seduced by simple answers. Politics must win support through substance and results.”

This result must be an incentive to win back trust and prove that politics can solve problems.

· Steffen KampeterKampeter's response to the election result.

AFD's leading candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, is seeking a role in government after the party's strong showing. For the first time since the end of World War II, a party classified as confirmed far-right extremist could enter a state government if it finds supporters. The CDU, led in the state by Minister-President Sven Schulze, suffered major losses.

Kampeter said no election result could make bad economic policy correct. Germany, he argued, needs open markets, international skilled workers, investment and a dependable Europe. He warned that questioning the euro and European Union, while seeking closeness to Russia, would run against the interests of companies and employees.

No election result can make bad economic policy right. Germany needs open markets, international skilled workers, investment and a reliable Europe.

· Steffen KampeterKampeter outlining the economic policies he said Germany needs.

Tanja Gönner, managing director of the Federation of German Industries, urged the federal government not to respond with political paralysis. She called for a decisive and expanded reform agenda focused on investment, innovation and growth.

The answer to this state election result must not be political standstill at the federal level.

· Tanja GönnerThe BDI executive calling for federal reforms after the election.
About this summary

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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