AfD: „Wirtschaftspolitisch inkompetent“ – Ökonomen attackieren Weidel wegen Euro-Plänen

Economists have harshly criticized AfD leader Alice Weidel for her demand to withdraw Germany from the Euro and Schengen area. Monika Schnitzer, chair of Wirtschaftsweisen, and Marcel Fratzscher, president of DIW, warn of significant economic damage to Germany and its population. Schnitzer dismisses Weidel's idea of returning to the D-Mark as "backward" and economically incorrect, noting that Germany faced better times before adopting the single currency.

Fratzscher labels Weidel's call for a German exit from the Euro as "economic incompetence," insisting it would force millions into unemployment and cause substantial income losses for citizens.

The warnings come ahead of three state elections, where AfD could achieve strong results. In Saxony-Anhalt, the party enjoys a 43% approval rating, while in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, it is at 36%. Nationwide, the AfD currently stands at around 28%. Weidel announced on Sunday's ZDF "Summer interview" that her party would push for a German exit from the Euro and Schengen area if it joins a federal government coalition.

Both economists praise the Euro as a key competitive advantage for Germany. They argue that a new national currency would likely overvalue it, making German exports more expensive and further weakening competitiveness. They also highlight the positive impact of the Schengen agreement on cross-border travel and commerce, estimating about 1.25 billion journeys annually within the region.

However, several Schengen countries have recently reintroduced border controls, and Fratzscher recently announced a renewal of checks on Germany's external borders until mid-March 2027.