2024-02-21 08:43:34
A leading German economist emphasizes that the AfD is “not a party for the common people,” as it likes to pretend. He warns against simulation games by the AfD leadership.
The demand is popular among right-wing populists: Germany should please leave the European Union and return to the German mark. Only recently, AfD leader Alice Weidel brought up a referendum on Germany leaving the EU.
“If a reform [der EU] “If we fail to renew the independence of the European member states, then we should let the citizens vote, like Great Britain did,” Weidel said in an interview with the Financial Times. “We could have one “Make a referendum on ‘Dexit’ – Germany’s exit from the EU.”
However, Brexit had serious consequences for Great Britain. The British economy fell into long-term turbulence and, among other things, the country has suffered from a shortage of skilled workers since leaving the EU. Numerous companies also relocated.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently called for his country to get closer to the European Economic Area. He referred to a study according to which the estimated gross value added in Great Britain in 2023 would be 140 billion pounds (around 162 billion euros) lower due to Brexit.
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The German Economic Institute (IW) in Cologne has now pointed out that a “Dexit” could also have unforeseeable economic consequences for Germany. Its economists warn about the consequences of the AfD policy for Germany as a business location. If Germany leaves the European Union and the Eurozone, “it could lose around ten percent of its economic output,” said the head of the Berlin IW office, Knut Bergmann, to the “Rheinische Post”.
“That meant a loss of prosperity of 400 to 500 billion euros annually, as a study on the actual consequences of Brexit shows. As an export country, Germany would be hit hard by such a decision – and so would its citizens: 2.2 million jobs would be threatened.” said Bergmann. According to an IW survey, it is already difficult to attract foreign skilled workers in AfD strongholds, he added.
Experts have long pointed out that this development, similar to what happened after Brexit in Great Britain, could intensify in the event of a “Dexit”. With potentially serious consequences for Germany as a business location and its citizens, especially those at the bottom of society, says Bergmann.
“The AfD is – contrary to what it likes to claim – not a party for the little people. Top earners in particular would benefit from its tax plans,” said the IW expert. It is important to provide the party with content and make the consequences clear to voters, he emphasized.