After almost 35 interviews in one month, Thomas Brockmeier still has the strength to get passionate. In Magdeburg for a series of appointments, the CEO of the Halle-Dessau Chamber of Commerce and Industry explains that entrepreneurs who vote for Alternative für Deutschland in Saxony-Anhalt do so mainly out of frustration. “Several openly declare it, it is their right. But when you ask them why, most give an answer that does not relate to the AfD program, but reflects frustration towards other parties. And it is rather strange. Especially from an entrepreneur, one would expect reasonable arguments. But no, most respond that the others are bad. Of course, as a Chamber of Commerce, we do not evaluate individual voting decisions.”
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“Immigration cannot be rejected”
Brockmeier is convinced that the AfD program will not help the Land’s economy: “A couple of points come close to our platform, for example on bureaucracy and energy costs. But on immigration… The population is decreasing and aging, Saxony-Anhalt could lose about 100,000 workers in the next 7-8 years. Immigration cannot be rejected and give the impression that those coming from abroad are not welcome.”
AfD claims it will bring back to Saxony-Anhalt the Germans who left after reunification. A sort of return migration, which leaves Brockmeier skeptical: “When I read about it, I wondered, if there are people eager to return, why haven’t they already done so? The Land is no longer the same as 20-25 years ago: unemployment has decreased, there are many opportunities, there is a cultural life, the environmental situation is much better. If these people wanted to return, why have they waited so long? Are they waiting for someone to press the button and say: ‘Wow, now you can come back?'”
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Investments at risk
On September 6, voters will decide. AfD has the chance to win the government in Magdeburg. Many warn that this could drive away investors. “These decisions,” explains Brockmeier, “depend on many factors. It starts with the fundamentals: labor costs, taxes, energy prices, infrastructure, bureaucracy, stability. Germany has serious problems in many of these areas.” Then, there is the business climate, “a minimum level of openness and a mindset that invites people to come. And when you do not have the best fundamentals, openness to other people, other cultures, other countries becomes even more important.”
International companies, Brockmeier emphasizes, need to bring in managers and specialists: “It’s not just about money, it’s about people and you want to be sure they feel comfortable. If the climate changed, obviously this could drive away investors. And the signs are already visible. Not many openly declare they want to cancel their plans, but you sense that something is about to happen. I understand this talking with hotel owners, with bank directors.”
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