Marcel Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), has urged entrepreneurs to keep their distance from the AfD. He views the party as a threat to the economy, prosperity, and social cohesion. He made these comments in an interview with Handelsblatt.
In Berlin, Marcel Fratzscher, president of the DIW, warned of growing AfD sympathies in parts of the business community. "Entrepreneurs should consciously keep their distance from the AfD, because this party not only attacks democratic core values but also works economically against the interests of Germany as a business location," he told Handelsblatt.
Fratzscher stressed that companies rely on open markets and reliable rules. The AfD seeks to undermine these foundations "through isolation and right-wing populist division," the economist said. He described the party as "a danger to the economy, prosperity, and social cohesion."
The AfD has stabilized at a high level in polls. In the latest ARD-Deutschlandtrend, it scores 25 percent, ahead of the SPD, Greens, and Left party. It made significant gains in recent state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz.
In a February Infratest-dimap survey on economic competence, the AfD ranked second behind the Union bloc. AfD leaders openly claim mid-term responsibility for government. State elections in Sachsen-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are upcoming this autumn.
