- Maier alleges that the AfD promotes economically detrimental policies.
Georg Maier, SPD's top candidate in Thuringia, has pointed fingers at the AfD, accusing them of fostering an anti-business environment. He shared tales of skilled professionals turning down job opportunities in Thuringia due to the society's hostile atmosphere, which he attributes to AfD and its figurehead, Björn Höcke. In a talk on ntv and Antenne Thuringia, Maier criticized Höcke for aiming to create chaos for medium-sized businesses. "That's about as anti-business as it gets," he commented. The election this Sunday is set to send a message from Thuringia beyond its borders.
Stefan Möller, AfD's co-chair in Thuringia, denies these claims. He insisted Höcke only referenced specific businesses, adding this remark was made during a rally in Sommerda. Höcke himself didn't participate in the TV chat, as initially planned. The reason provided was health concerns, as mentioned by a representative.
Madeleine Henfling, the Green Party's top candidate, stated that Thuringia aspiring to be an attractive workplace for skilled professionals faces a significant challenge. The present political landscape and the growing hostility towards individuals with migration histories represent major hurdles. In healthcare, for instance, the already high migration share would jeopardize the system if all migrants decided to leave.
Möller envisions Thuringia as a stepping stone for skilled professionals
Möller emphasized they don't aim to expel doctors or nurses. However, due to their high qualifications and global demand, these professionals would gravitate towards countries like Norway or major western German cities. "Thuringia will essentially serve as a passageway for such highly skilled, highly mobile professionals," he stated.
According to Thuringia's Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the AfD is classified as a consistently right-wing extremist party and is under observation. For the campaign, they've been advertising with banners displaying an airplane and the slogan "Summer, sun, remigration."
The ongoing 'Election to the Landtag' in Thuringia could potentially impact the perception of the region as an attractive destination for skilled professionals. Despite Stefan Möller's denial of fostering an anti-business environment, his party's rhetoric and actions, including AfD's figurehead Björn Höcke's comments, have been criticized for creating a hostile atmosphere, which may deter skilled professionals from considering job opportunities in Thuringia.
