Economic Challenges: Rätsel AfD-Erfolg in Sachsen-Anhalt: Warum eine migrationsfeindliche Partei in einem alternden Bundesland so stark ist
Vor der Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt fragen Bert Rürup und Michael Hüther, wie eine Partei, die Zuwanderung ablehnt, in einem Bundesland mit massiver Alterung derart erfolgreich sein kann.
In a recent episode of Economic Challenges, Handelsblatt Chief Economist Bert Rürup and Michael Hüther, Director of the Institute of the German Economy, delve into an economic paradox: The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, known for its anti-immigration stance, has achieved record success in Sachsen-Anhalt, a German state with the oldest population and significant foreign worker contribution to the economy.
Despite the AfD's program advocating for repatriation over immigration, Hüther cites data from the IWH Halle stating that without the employment growth from foreign workers, the social insurance-dependent employment in the state would have significantly declined since 2016. He links the AfD's success to a broader European trend, from Reform UK to right-wing movements following major transformation processes, and draws parallels to the 1920s.
Hüther also criticizes the appeal to an "East identity" as historically unfounded, stating that those calling for such identities while also having negative implications for Putin are ultimately rootless. Rürup reminds listeners that the AfD was founded as an anti-Euro party, yet now thrives on a new enemy image despite the economic success of the single currency.
Both Rürup and Hüther believe the democratic center has a responsibility to provide convincing answers to transformation anxieties, without being overly optimistic.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
