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🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

Saxony-Anhalt election: Economist warns AfD government could hurt labor market

From Der Spiegel · () German

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

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Monika Schnitzer, head of Germany’s Council of Economic Experts, warned that an AfD-led government in Saxony-Anhalt could make the state less attractive to skilled workers and companies.
  • She said many workers will retire in coming years, making outside recruitment essential to prevent labor shortages and investment delays.
  • The AfD leads the latest poll ahead of Sunday’s state election, with the CDU in second place and the current CDU-SPD-FDP coalition seeking to retain power.

Monika Schnitzer, head of Germany’s Council of Economic Experts, is warning that an AfD government in Saxony-Anhalt could drive away the skilled workers the state urgently needs.

“Given the election program, one can expect that if the AfD takes over the government, the state would lose considerable attractiveness as a location for skilled workers and companies,” Schnitzer told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. She said that without enough skilled workers, essential investments would fail to materialize.

Given the election program, one can expect that if the AfD takes over the government, the state would lose considerable attractiveness as a location for skilled workers and companies.

· Monika SchnitzerThe head of Germany’s Council of Economic Experts warned that an AfD-led government could weaken Saxony-Anhalt’s appeal to workers and businesses.

Saxony-Anhalt faces a growing labor challenge as many of its workers approach retirement. Schnitzer said the state would soon lack skilled employees without immigration from outside the region. That shortage, in turn, could deter investment.

Economic conditions and unemployment rank among the main concerns for voters. In the latest ZDF Politbarometer, 22 percent identified the economic situation as the state’s most important problem, followed by unemployment at 17 percent. Saxony-Anhalt is largely rural, with many medium-sized companies but few major corporate headquarters.

Without immigration from outside, many skilled workers will soon be missing. And without enough skilled workers, urgently needed investments will fail to materialize.

· Monika SchnitzerSchnitzer linked the state’s approaching retirements to future labor shortages and weaker investment.

The AfD stood at 41 percent in the latest poll released Thursday evening, ahead of the CDU at 23 percent. The Left Party was projected at 11.5 percent, the SPD at 8.5 percent, and the Greens at 6 percent. The BSW and FDP were below the 5 percent threshold. The state is currently governed by a coalition of the CDU, SPD and FDP.

The AfD reaffirmed its ambition to take power at the close of the campaign. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla told lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund that the real work as a prospective minister-president would begin on Monday and pledged full support. Economists and business leaders have long warned about the economic consequences of the AfD leading one or more state governments, including possible tensions with the European Union if the party implements its Saxony-Anhalt program.

We will support you with all our strength.

· Tino ChrupallaThe AfD co-leader addressed lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund as the party reaffirmed its goal of forming the state government.
About this summary

Originally published by Der Spiegel 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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