Business associations are taking a stance ahead of the elections in Eastern German states. The Association of Family Entrepreneurs Saxony has released banners in front of Saxony's major airports in Dresden and Leipzig with the slogan "Keine Reise ins Blaue. Sachsens Wirtschaft braucht Zuversicht" ("No journey into the blue. Saxony's economy needs confidence"). The color blue is associated with the far-right Alternative for Germany, which is likely to make considerable gains in the September elections.

This scenario causes considerable worries among business representatives, as a study among 30 companies in Saxony and Thuringia confirms. Key findings are that 67% expect negative consequences for their business and the region’s economy should the AfD grow in strength. 20% assume a reduction in workforce if the AfD leads the State’s government. In that scenario, 77% additionally fear a brain drain and 90% expect it will damage their reputation.

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