Economy for a cosmopolitan Saxony concerned about election results

The association Wirtschaft für ein weltoffenes Sachsen is concerned about the AfD's electoral success among young people. The fact that many 18 to 29-year-olds have followed the populists, who are endangering democracy, justice and prosperity, is really worrying, said board spokesman Robert Czajkowski in Dresden. "These are the people who will shape our future here, these are the people who will certainly be largely responsible for the further development of this federal state."

Saxony had, however, "got off lightly once again", said Czajkowski. The AfD had failed to achieve a blocking minority in the state parliament and would probably not form a government or receive a ministerial office.

"Germany must reinvent itself"

The economy and society are currently in a state of upheaval. Czajkowski said that there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding many issues, many people do not feel involved and the necessity of many decisions is not sufficiently explained. "In my view, the Federal Republic needs to reinvent itself."

The country is divided. "Unfortunately, the rift also runs through the business community," said Czajkowski. It ranges from those who openly sympathize to silent spectators and those who are counting on the populists to disenchant themselves. "German history is rich in evidence and examples that this can also happen in action," warned Czajkowski.