Saxony-Anhalt demands help: automotive suppliers in crisis!

Saxony-Anhalt demands help: automotive suppliers in crisis!

In Saxony-Anhalt there are growing calls for a rapid change in the economic policy of the new black-red federal government. State politicians, including Economics Minister Sven Schulze (CDU), emphasize how important it is to improve the framework conditions for companies in order to ensure their competitiveness. Schulze is planning a major automotive supplier summit scheduled for next week to offer support to companies affected by economic challenges. This meeting will take place on May 22nd in Halberstadt and is intended to develop solutions to the critical situation of automotive suppliers, which has worsened due to high energy prices and other factors. [Stern] reports that gross value added in manufacturing and industry in Saxony-Anhalt fell by 3.6 percent, underlining the urgency of such measures.

The state government is in close contact with companies that have had to file for bankruptcy, such as the automotive suppliers Bohai Trimet in Harzgerode, Boryszew in Gardelegen and the Schlote Group in Wernigerode and Harzgerode. This development makes the need for government support even more obvious. At the state parliament session in Magdeburg, Schulze described the current economic situation as “challenging”.

Political reactions and measures

The political reactions to the situation are wide-ranging. FDP parliamentary group leader Andreas Silbersack is pushing for a reduction in corporate taxes as well as the complete abolition of the solidarity surcharge and the dismantling of the so-called cold progression. In contrast, the SPD is calling for targeted help, such as a reduction in electricity tax and the introduction of a special industrial electricity price.

The pressure on the federal government is growing. The CDU parliamentary group is calling for rapid decision-making on tax relief and a reduction in bureaucracy. In this context, the opposition parties are also critical. The AfD in particular sees the government's ideological actions as a hindrance to companies and is calling for more economic freedoms. Wulf Gallert from the Left Party complains about a backlog of investments and is in favor of introducing a wealth tax.

Transformation to e-mobility

The challenges facing the automotive industry are not just financial. Olaf Meister from the Greens calls for support for the transformation to e-mobility, as many companies in the industry need to actively convert to more environmentally friendly technologies. A similar summit with representatives of the chemical industry took place at the end of 2024 and shows how important such dialogue platforms are for solving industry-specific problems.

Overall, Saxony-Anhalt is facing a crucial phase in which clear political measures and a joint approach to support the industry are required. The coming weeks will be crucial in setting the course for a successful economic future. [Volksstimme] reports that the state government is already planning its own programs to support the affected industries in order to effectively address the challenges.