According to Armin Willingmann, the state minister for science, the rise of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt is having a detrimental effect on the availability of personnel within both universities and private companies. Willingmann noted that the political climate fostered by the AfD is already creating a disadvantage for the region.
This issue is particularly evident in the university sector. He explained that the political trajectory in Saxony-Anhalt is deterring prospective applicants, including professors. Willingmann stated that the apprehension is no longer confined to people of different skin colors, noting that many people are responding with “I cannot come” or expressing hesitation about relocating their families to an environment with such a climate.
The challenges are also visible in the private sector. Willingmann confirmed that companies are experiencing similar difficulties when trying to recruit specialized staff. Furthermore, this development has drawn warnings from economic associations regarding the increasingly obvious shortage of skilled labor in Saxony-Anhalt.
