Kretschmer wants to strengthen the arms industry in Saxony

In order to strengthen Saxony's economy, Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) wants to expand the state's defense industry. "Saxon companies and locations should also be able to benefit from the higher defense budget," said Kretschmer. To this end, networking meetings are being organized between major players in the defence industry and suppliers from Saxony. The "Sächsische Zeitung" and "Leipziger Volkszeitung" were the first to report on this.

Kretschmer proposes East German component

Kretschmer called for targeted support from the federal government for the East. The federal government has a duty here, he said, as the existing structures in the defense industry in East Germany were almost completely dismantled after reunification. Kretschmer proposed an East German component in the awarding of contracts.

According to Kretschmer, the defense industry could make an important contribution to cushioning the challenges in the automotive industry or in the lignite regions, for example.

Together with partners, the Saxon government is also advising companies, such as mechanical engineering companies, automotive suppliers and process engineering companies, on the opportunities that could exist for them in the defense sector. The chip industry and new settlements of large companies also play a major role.

Criticism from the Left and AfD

Criticism of Kretschmer's plans came from the opposition in the state parliament. "The state government must not see the arms industry as the solution to the economic situation," said Frank Peschel, economic policy spokesperson for Saxony's AfD parliamentary group. He added that Germany was forcing the transition to a war economy, which was deepening the rift between Europe and Russia.

The Left Party is calling for tax funds to be directed towards sustainable civilian industries instead of strengthening the arms industry. Saxony's industrial strengths in mechanical engineering, semiconductor production and the mobility industry could be further developed in battery technology, hydrogen technology and medical technology, said Stefan Hartmann, economic policy spokesperson for the Saxon Left Party. "This can create secure jobs with high regional added value in the long term."