Germany’s hard-right AfD has indicated it could support an arms producer operating in Saxony-Anhalt, saying military resources would be needed for future deportation campaigns.
Ulrich Siegmund, the party’s likely leader in the eastern state, made the remarks while discussing a proposed defence industry investment in Sangerhausen.
“We do not condemn the production of military equipment across the board, because we will naturally need the appropriate resources for future repatriation and deportation campaigns,” Mr Siegmund said at a press conference on Thursday.
He added: “This is also in the interest of internal security, our own stability, and national defence.”
Israel’s Elbit Systems is reportedly in talks to build a plant in Sangerhausen producing components for other German companies. City officials have said the site would not manufacture complete weapons systems, drones or artillery shells, but could create up to 400 jobs.
Elbit Systems Deutschland said it was continually assessing opportunities to expand in Germany, but that no locations had yet been selected. The company said it operated at several sites in the country, employed hundreds of German workers and was continuing to strengthen its local industrial presence.
The AfD is seeking to form a state government after winning a historic election victory that fell just short of an outright majority. Its pledges include deportations “from the first minute”, citizen patrols and separate classrooms for refugee children.
Mr Siegmund said the party was monitoring the Sangerhausen proposal and would examine what was to be produced, the conditions under which it would be made and whether the project could involve the state in foreign conflicts.
Support for the investment could complicate discussions with the left-wing populist BSW, the only party that has not ruled out co-operation with the AfD. The BSW, which also opposes German military support for Ukraine, has campaigned against the project and rejected economic arguments for attracting foreign defence manufacturers.
