Wahl in Sachsen-Anhalt: Klüssendorf: Frage nach SPD-Vorsitz stellt sich gerade nicht

Christian Bruch, CEO of Siemens Energy, a DAX-listed company, has strongly warned against the economic policy of the AfD, the Alternative for Germany party, ahead of the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD's platform, which calls for a return to coal and nuclear power, is detrimental to the economic landscape of Germany and infringes on democratic structures, Bruch told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

"I find this highly critical," he emphasized. Bruch expressed concern about the upcoming Sunday elections in Saxony-Anhalt, noting that the Verfassungsschutz (Constitutional Protection) classifies the AfD in the state as firmly right-wing extremist. He lamented that politicians have thus far failed to find compromises that reflect the majority of the population.

"This is an extremely critical situation," he stated. However, Bruch criticized the AfD for sending a "dramatically wrong message" with its vision of reverting to previous successes of Germany. He described the AfD's vision as nostalgic rather than transformative. He added that people underestimate the speed at which other countries are changing.

"We must finally understand change as an opportunity. Nostalgic politics push us further back," Bruch concluded. He also dismissed the energy policy statements in the AfD's program as nonsensical in a Europe where countries like France and the Czech Republic have nuclear power plants. Bruch viewed the energy policy statements in the AfD's program as "not meaningful."

Other top managers have previously warned about the AfD's economic plans. Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing said in Frankfurt a few days ago that populist parties claim to have simple answers, but they propose concepts that contradict the foundations of our success: openness, diversity, a strong Europe, reliable institutions, and international cooperation.

Sewing personally hopes that the AfD will not secure an absolute majority, given the latest polls. He also noted that large investors are concerned about such a voting outcome, as it could further complicate the political landscape in countries, parties, and the federal government. Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel has also warned about the rise of populist parties like the AfD.

"There are people in Germany who claim to be patriots while proposing to abandon the euro," Nagel told the French newspaper Le Monde recently. "I must remind you that Germany has achieved tremendous prosperity thanks to the single currency, just like France and the entire monetary union." Bahlsen CEO Alexander Kühne had previously distanced himself from the AfD and its positions.

"We need skilled workers, we need open trade in Europe, and we need stable economic conditions," Kühne said. "Against this backdrop, the AfD is not an alternative, neither for business nor personally, for me."