Christian Klein, CEO of SAP, warned about the potential repercussions of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) gaining political influence for Germany’s economic competitiveness. Speaking on POLITICO’s Berlin Playbook Podcast, he asked the AfD “With your politics would you feel welcomed? Absolutely not”.
Klein also expressed frustration over broader political shortcomings, particularly in the realm of digitalisation. “I’m frustrated by the regulation and the lack of progress in digitalisation” he said. He argued that the AfD offers no viable solutions to Germany’s core challenges. “When you look at the AfD and ask what their solutions are, you find that they are rather thin” he remarked.
The company needs skilled workers from abroad-such as from India, the United States, or Scandinavia-to sustain its growth. “We need people coming to Germany” Klein added. He cautioned that AfD policies could jeopardise that influx, calling it a “fatal sign”.
Klein also appealed to the established parties, reminding them that the issues are well known and have been debated for years. “It’s high time we occasionally set aside partisan books and ask: what matters for Germany now?” he urged. He underscored that economic growth and European solidarity are crucial. “We simply need economic growth, because that brings a certain strength. We need Europe” he concluded.
