Economy and AfD - Maier: Supports the economy AfD
Thuringia's SPD top candidate for the state election, Georg Maier, accuses some parts of the economy of supporting the AfD. "Some business representatives tell me that they are shocked by how little opposition there is in their ranks against the AfD's strengthening," SPD Minister and politician Maier told "Handelsblatt".
Meanwhile, there are indeed broad alliances against exclusion in Thuringia, where many businesses participated. "But in some business sectors, there is strong support for the AfD. Above all financially. The party must have a decent income," so Maier.
Maier sees a disadvantage for Thuringia
This behavior is inexplicable to him, given that the AfD's positions, such as Euro exit, are "pure poison for the economy." "In the circles of business associations, it is rather said that one should remain politically neutral," Maier remarked. "I don't know what's behind the thoughts, perhaps some are already aligning themselves with an AfD-led government." The AfD is classified as proven extremist right-wing by the Thuringian Constitutional Protection and is monitored. Maier referred to the disadvantages for Thuringia's location due to a strong AfD with its party extremist Björn Höcke. They are already apparent. The CEO of an internationally active Thuringian company recently reported to him that "people with a different skin color were immediately rejected a job offer when they learned that the location was Thuringia."
From the Federal Government, Maier wishes to prioritize Eastern Germany. "As long as the social gap between East and West is still so far apart, one cannot speak of a fully completed unity. In the 16 years under Merkel, hardly anything has improved. Now it's up to the SPD and the Chancellor to make a difference here."
- Georg Maier, the SPD's campaign leader for the Thuringian State election, expressed concern about some businesses supporting the AfD.
- During a conversation with "Handelsblatt", Maier mentioned that certain business representatives were surprised by the lack of opposition towards the AfD's growing influence.
- Maier specifically noted that in some business sectors, there is substantial financial support for the AfD, which he found puzzling.
- The AfD's economic policies, such as advocating for a Euro exit, are considered harmful by Maier, who stated that they are "pure poison for the economy."
- Despite broad alliances against exclusion in Thuringia, some businesses continue to back the AfD, which Maier believes brings disadvantages to the region.
- Maier, a member of Thuringia's SPD, expressed his hope for more attention and investment in Eastern Germany from the federal government, arguing that the social divide between East and West remains significant even after 16 years of Merkel's leadership.
