Germany's leading business associations have issued sharp warnings about the Alternative for Germany, declaring it unfit to govern as the party polls strongly ahead of September 2026 state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Tanja Gönner, chief executive of the Federation of German Industries, said the AfD is "not a business party" and creates uncertainty for companies. She criticized the party's platform in Saxony-Anhalt, particularly its proposal to abolish compulsory schooling, and called for predictable, affordable, and climate-neutral energy policy. Employers' Association President Rainer Dulger dismissed the AfD as offering no solutions to Germany's problems, labeling it anti-Euro, anti-EU, and pro-Russia. Jörg Dittrich, head of the Central Association of German Crafts, voiced concern over rising populism.
Polls suggest the AfD could win significant gains and potentially govern alone in Saxony-Anhalt. Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed the CDU's refusal to cooperate with the AfD, while Saxony's Governor Michael Kretschmer urged dialogue with all parties and criticized the concept of a political firewall.