Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s top candidate for Saxony-Anhalt, strongly refuted warnings from Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) concerning a potential retreat of international investors should the AfD take power. Speaking to the television channel “Welt,” Siegmund stated that the reality would be the complete opposite: an AfD government would not frighten international investors away from countries with conservative governance, but would instead attract them.
According to Siegmund, numerous international companies-many currently situated in countries with conservative governments-view long-term planning security and the absence of climate or quota requirements as a major competitive advantage. He is certain that many global companies would see this situation as a genuine opportunity.
Siegmund projected that under an AfD-led government, Saxony-Anhalt would experience a “flourishing economic period,” leading to the creation of new jobs and increased value creation. He added that greater tax revenue resulting from this growth would allow the state to both provide relief to citizens and invest heavily in infrastructure.
However, Siegmund shifted the conversation, placing blame for the current economic difficulties not on the AfD, but on Merz himself. He argued that Merz’s current economic policies send a clear message of failure, resulting in ongoing deindustrialization, with businesses closing or leaving the region. Despite this, he contends that criticisms are being leveled against the AfD merely because they have not yet governed.
He pointed to several specific issues, claiming Merz has failed to resolve them. According to Siegmund, despite conditions that still see fuel priced at 2.40 euros, the Chancellor has not managed the economy. He cited the extremely high tax burden and the region having the second-highest electricity prices globally as clear examples of an economically hostile environment driving businesses away.
