Former General Criticizes Ulrich Siegmund's Statements on Armaments

Markus Kurczyk, a former Bundeswehr general and director of the Central German Institute for the Security Industry (MISI), has criticized AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund for his statements on the defense industry. “When Ulrich Siegmund of the AfD—and potential new Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt—draws a connection between the production of defense equipment and the prevention of immigration, I believe that not only has this individual disqualified himself, but this also has repercussions for the industry in question,” Kurczyk told the “Magdeburger Volksstimme.”

Currently, a double-digit number of companies in the industry are considering setting up operations in Central Germany, Kurczyk told the newspaper. Founded last year, MISI is an industry association based in Leipzig that advocates for Eastern Germany to benefit more from the defense boom.

What Siegmund said

Siegmund intends to run for election as Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt in December. In September, he had commented on the planned establishment of an Israeli defense contractor in Sangerhausen: “We do not demonize the production of defense equipment across the board, because we will naturally need the appropriate resources for the subsequent remigration and deportation campaign. Of course, this is also in the interest of internal security, our own stability, and national defense.” Each case must be weighed individually, Siegmund said in response to a journalist’s question about the planned establishment. “We want to take a close look at what is being produced there, under what conditions, and whether this puts us at risk of becoming involved in foreign conflicts. If so, we view it with great skepticism.”

Following the state election in September, the AfD became by far the largest faction in the state parliament. Siegmund’s remarks drew sharp criticism from some of the other political groups.

Expert: Political Support Also Plays a Key Role in Deciding on New Facilities

A decision for or against a new facility is not made based on which party is currently in power, Kurczyk told the newspaper. What matters most to companies in the defense industry is the available space in industrial parks and a sufficiently qualified workforce—but also political support. “The state government has a special role to play here,” the expert said.