During the election campaigns and debates at the Oosterburen, it is really only about one theme. “Migration is far at the top of the agenda. That also has to do with what has happened in recent months,” says Germany connoisseur Ulrike. “A migrant committed an attack on the Christmas market in Maagdenburg. That also happened in a park in Aschaffenburg and last Thursday there was an Afghan man who ran into a demonstration in Munich. Germans say about it:” You see, the perpetrator was, the perpetrator was No German ‘.
All parties in Germany want to tackle migration more stricter. But especially the radical-right AFD benefits greatly from sentiment. “That party is seen by Germans who do not vote for the party, as non-democratic. In addition, the party hardly distances themselves from Nazis and extremism,” Nagel continues.
Yet the AfD does not seem to be the largest and a government with AfD does not come. “All parties exclude cooperation with AfD,” the Germany connoisseur knows. At the same time there is a large group of floating voters. “It is unclear what they are going to vote. But I don’t believe that AfD suddenly gets 10 percent.”
At the Eems Dollard region, a collaboration between the Northern Netherlands and the German region of Emsland, they are disappointed that migration dominates the debate. “There is not much talk about a theme such as economy. While that is important,” says spokesperson Mario Rauch.
Herman Idema also likes to see that it is more about economics, he also sees overlaps between the topics. “It should not be about migration, but about integration. In many cases, immigrants are unused work potential. Real refugees, not the economic, we need that. Just look at all those companies that now use Ukrainian refugees, for example in the greenhouse when the war ends and those people return, then they see their good staff. “
The Emmenaar hopes that the new German government will soon look at the economy. Because economically the country has not been doing well for three years. The economy showed a slight contraction in 2023 and 2024. In addition, Germany is far behind in the field of digitization and German cars are no longer as wanted as they were ever. In the meantime, many companies in small and medium-sized businesses go bankrupt.
“Germany has fallen asleep under Merkel in the years,” Idema speaks out. “For example, Merkel chose gas from Russia and the automotive industry has insufficiently responded to the developments. It is now being overtaken by Chinese brands on all sides. While Germany is such a beautiful country that produces many beautiful techniques. I hope there are the new government a new one Wende Is that the Germans will invest again. “
Anyone who wins the elections tomorrow or whatever the government will come to Germany, the trade will not be inferior to the Eems Dollard region, Rauch expects. “The Netherlands is an important partner for every Democratic party. That will just stay that way. In addition, Drenthe companies have good contacts in Emsland and Ost-Friesland. Those networks have lasted for years.”
Germany connoisseur Nagel also expects little change if it concerns economic cooperation. “Companies will always keep in touch over the border. The government sets rules on this, but within that entrepreneurs are very aware of the economic necessity to trade. Moreover, there is also the European Union, which protects trade within Europe.”
Herman Idema goes one step further. If German entrepreneurs dare to invest again thanks to a stable government, hopeful times are shining, according to him. “Because Germans like to do business with Dutch people, who they see as much more innovative than themselves.”