In an interview with the “Frankfurter Allgemeinen Sonntagszeitung,” Kretschmer criticized Germany’s current trajectory, stating that the nation is experiencing a downward spiral that could lead to disaster. He highlighted Poland’s economic growth, which exceeds three percent, in contrast to Germany’s recession, and called for an examination of Poland’s energy and labor costs. Kretschmer emphasized the need for affordable energy, arguing that high electricity prices, exacerbated by CO2 taxes, threaten industrial competitiveness. He also noted ongoing challenges in refugee policy, particularly regarding the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers.