Germany's far-right populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is campaigning on a platform to revive coal and nuclear power, halt immigration from non-EU countries, and end energy sanctions against Russia. But businesses in eastern Germany warn that such policies could severely damage the regional economy.
Hannes Loth, Germany's first full-time AfD mayor, drives an electric car and plans to install wind turbines in his municipality. Since 2023, he has been mayor of Raguhn-Jeßnitz in Saxony-Anhalt, where he aims to build six new wind turbines and a battery storage facility. Local CDU councilor Tilo Hörtzsch confirmed the plans, saying, "Mr. Loth doesn't bring ideology into everything. We need these key technologies."
The AfD's election manifesto for Saxony-Anhalt promises to "halt the coal phase-out, initiate a return to nuclear power, and end energy-related sanctions against Russia." It also calls for a moratorium on new wind turbines and a halt to non-EU immigration. According to recent polls, the AfD leads in the state with 41% support, while the CDU trails at 26%.
Saxony-Anhalt is a pioneer in renewable energy, with 57% of its electricity coming from renewables in 2025. Paradoxically, the eastern states leading the green transition are also where the AfD enjoys its greatest electoral success. Polls show that for AfD supporters, immigration and asylum policy are more important than energy issues.
Johannes Kiess, a researcher on right-wing extremism at Leipzig University, called the AfD's program "unrealistic" and warned it would "have severe negative consequences for Saxony-Anhalt's economy and energy security." Business leaders, including Tesvolt CEO Daniel Hannemann, criticized the party's migration policy as "economically damaging," saying a "climate of isolation" would hinder recruitment and international ties.
State Premier Sven Schulze hit back at AfD rival Ulrich Siegmund, noting that many promises cannot be decided at the state level: "Scrapping the CO2 tax, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, or bringing back nuclear power require 35 votes in the Bundesrat; Saxony-Anhalt has only four." Meanwhile, Mayor Loth is rushing to secure approval for his wind turbine project before potential policy shifts.
Source: www.dw.com