Gabriel Felbermayr: „Finanzpolitisch lebt die AfD im Wolkenkuckucksheim“

Gabriel Felbermayr, an Austrian economist, has observed the rise of far-right parties in his home country, focusing on the growth of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). In a recent interview with the Handelsblatt, Felbermayr cautioned about the potential financial risks associated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's ascent into government.

He warned that the AfD's isolationist mentality, especially regarding migration, poses a significant risk, warning that it could lead to economic stagnation and hinder the country's progress.

Felbermayr pointed out that while the FPÖ in Austria had implemented reforms, the AfD's economic policies are largely unfeasible due to their financial impracticality. He expressed concerns about the party's radical proposals, such as an exit from the EU, Eurozone, and Schengen Area, which could have catastrophic consequences for the country's location. Felbermayr emphasized the importance of welcoming highly skilled migrants, as Germany will need them in the coming decades, particularly in the technology sector.

In the article, Felbermayr also noted that the AfD's financial promises cannot be reconciled with realistic fiscal realities. Implementing their policies would either necessitate increased debt or result in cuts to social security, potentially destabilizing the country's welfare system. He further argued that the AfD's plans do not offer a viable financial framework, with options like higher debt, reduced taxes, or cuts to social security systems as the only feasible solutions.

The report highlights that despite the risks, the AfD might not necessarily adopt a similar reformist approach as the FPÖ in Austria. However, the article concludes that the AfD's economic outlook is largely negative, with only a few potentially beneficial aspects, such as addressing energy costs. The article argues that the AfD's proposed energy policies, including a rollback of climate goals and a return to Russian energy imports, are not grounded in factual evidence.

Instead, the article suggests a clear, fact-based transition to renewable energy sources as the only sustainable approach to addressing the current energy crisis.