Minister from the Green Party claims that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is deterring researchers.
In a recent conference held in Boston, Baden-Württemberg's Science Minister, Petra Olschowski (Greens), expressed concerns about the rising influence of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany and its potential impact on the academic landscape. Her concerns were met with a contrasting viewpoint from Rainer Balzer, the education spokesman for the AfD in Baden-Württemberg.
Balzer's comments were in response to Olschowski's concerns about the AfD and its potential effect on international researchers coming to Germany. The AfD, according to Balzer, positions itself as a supporter of academic freedom and open debate culture, and he emphasized that it stands for 'scientific freedom, open debate culture, and the consistent promotion of homegrown talent.'
Olschowski, on the other hand, pointed out that due to the AfD's politics, there is a concern that international researchers may be discouraged from applying for research positions in Baden-Württemberg. The visible stance and rising influence of the AfD are seen as signs of xenophobia that create reservations among foreign scientists.
The minister also highlighted that many scientists no longer see a future in the USA due to changes in the USA's political climate. This, she believes, presents opportunities for her policy in Baden-Württemberg. However, she acknowledged that while Baden-Württemberg might have a better situation than other regions in Germany regarding safety for foreigners, the rise of the AfD is still a problem in this regard.
Balzer, in countering Olschowski's concerns, suggested that they are not about promoting German students, young researchers, and scientists, but about another academic migration program. He instead emphasized that it is the 'green ideologization' and 'excessive bureaucracy' that deter many researchers, not the rise of the AfD.
The AfD in Baden-Württemberg views these issues as more detrimental to the attractiveness of the region for researchers than their political stance. Olschowski's concerns about the rise of the AfD, she stated, are based on reports of a strengthening of right-wing radicalism in Germany that are often reported in the USA.
Petra Olschowski, the Science Minister of Baden-Württemberg, and Rainer Balzer, the education spokesman for the AfD in Baden-Württemberg, thus find themselves at odds over the impact of the AfD on the academic landscape and the attractiveness of the region for international researchers.
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