Michael Hüther, the head of the Institute for the German Economy (IW), has issued a severe warning regarding a potential electoral success for the Alternative for Germany (AfD). He stated to the “Rheinische Post” that an AfD government in Saxony-Anhalt would be “a test of burden for liberal democracy,” challenging its very “resilience.”
This concern is echoed by a survey conducted by the Institute itself, which found that six out of ten entrepreneurs in Eastern Germany view democracy as under threat. According to Hüther, we must not underestimate the potential signaling effect of such parties. Given Germany’s demographic reality, the country relies on qualified immigration from abroad. He stressed that any party which openly advocates for deportation should not be strengthened by voters who seek to compete in the labor market for foreign specialists.
Regarding Saxony-Anhalt specifically, the IW Chief predicts severe structural disruption. He warned that an immigration policy dictated by the AfD would be ruinous for the state. Due to its adverse demographics, Saxony-Anhalt’s working-age population is projected to decrease by roughly one quarter by 2045 if there is no influx of immigrants. At that point, there would be more than one non-working person per employed individual. Hüther concluded emphatically: “If you want to drive a country into economic ruin, you have to do it exactly like that.”
