Employers' Association President: AfD Has No Solutions, Is Anti-EU and Pro-Russia

Rainer Dulger, President of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations, expressed deep concern over the strong poll results for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In a video interview with the German Press Agency, Dulger stated that the AfD offers no solutions to Germany's problems, describing the party as 'anti-euro, anti-EU, and pro-Russia.' He argued that only centrist parties can provide effective solutions, despite their current lower popularity. Dulger rejected the term 'firewall' as a political concept, instead basing his stance on the AfD's party platform. He declined to engage in dialogue with the AfD, preferring to focus on helping centrist parties improve their appeal. Regarding a potential AfD-only government in Saxony-Anhalt, Dulger doubted it would be a locational advantage but suggested it could lead to the party being 'disenchanted' by governing responsibility. The article also notes CDU leader Friedrich Merz's reaffirmation of non-cooperation with the AfD, contrasting with Saxony's CDU Minister President Michael Kretschmer's call for openness to talks with all parties.