"At its party conference, the AfD presented another unacceptable economic policy announcement with the proposal to tear down wind turbines, which would cause great damage to the German economy. According to its election manifesto, the party would consciously accept Germany's economic decline: leaving the euro, rejecting the EU, nationalism instead of open borders and no support for free trade agreements - the list is long and alarming," says BWO managing director Stefan Thimm.
"Such a course would particularly endanger renewable energies and climate protection technologies, which are crucial for the competitiveness of the German economy. The AfD completely fails to recognize that man-made climate change is not only a scientific fact, but also a key challenge facing industry worldwide. If German companies do not develop and export the technologies to combat climate change, other countries will take over this market leadership. The AfD is thus not only risking the loss of jobs, but also Germany's position as a location for innovation," said Thimm.
"It is also problematic that such proposals not only harm the economy but also geopolitical stability. According to our analysis, Vladimir Putin would be the major beneficiary of such a policy. The dependence on fossil energy imports would be strengthened, while the expansion of renewable energies, which makes us more independent of Russian gas and oil, would be deliberately blocked," says the BWO managing director.
"Germany needs an economic policy strategy that focuses on open markets, climate protection and technological innovation, and a cosmopolitan political culture to attract skilled workers from abroad. The AfD stands for the exact opposite - and that is a threat to our industry, our jobs and our future," he adds.