In Görlitz, a town on Germany’s eastern border, a factory yard still displays a pair of iconic red double-decker train cars. Soon, they will be replaced by a different kind of production.
After 175 years of building train cars, the historic Alstom factory is undergoing a significant transformation. It’s being repurposed to manufacture tank components, a pivotal move reflecting Germany’s swift rearmament efforts. This shift is driven by growing concerns over Russian aggression and a perceived decline in American security commitments.
While this transition isn’t universally celebrated by the town’s residents, many admit that the prospect of no jobs at all would be far worse.
Görlitz’s hesitant acceptance of this factory’s conversion highlights a broader national dilemma: the struggle between a challenging economic climate and an increasingly volatile security landscape.
Located in an economically struggling area of former East Germany, Görlitz has a history of strong anti-war sentiment and, for some, a degree of sympathy for Russia. This year’s elections saw nearly half of the voters support the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party known for its pro-Moscow stance and opposition to aid for Ukraine.
Despite these political leanings, the town, its workers, and even local AfD leaders have reluctantly come to terms with the new factory. In a region where well-paying jobs are scarce and economic hardship is prevalent, many outspoken critics of the defense industry are now embracing military production.
Sebastian Wippel, the local AfD leader on the City Council, publicly stated that the factory’s sale was ‘no reason to celebrate.’ However, he also recognized the critical need to retain manufacturing jobs in Görlitz and to lessen Germany’s reliance on international arms suppliers.
Wippel, who also serves as the deputy leader of the AfD in Saxony’s parliament, explained, ‘That means weapons production must also occur in Germany. And if it’s happening here now, for that reason, I genuinely can’t object to it.’
This situation offers a glimpse into the pragmatic compromises the AfD might need to embrace to expand its influence beyond its eastern German base and gain more national traction.
Although the party currently leads in some national polls, AfD leaders have openly criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz for increased military spending and support for Ukraine, positions that diverge from the opinions of most Germans.
For local civic leaders, including those from the often war-skeptical AfD, the decision to produce tanks represents a difficult but necessary choice.
Heiko Nitschke, an Alstom engineer, voiced the widespread sentiment: ‘There are few large companies left that pay union wages, and it would be a catastrophe if this one went under as well.’ Despite this, Nitschke personally stated he would not work for the new owner, citing discomfort with manufacturing weapons.
KNDS, the arms manufacturer overseeing the Alstom plant’s conversion, has committed to retaining over half of the original 700 employees, many of whom are skilled welders. While KNDS chose not to comment on record, they previously announced an investment exceeding $10 million.
This once-vast manufacturing complex has seen a gradual decline over the years. Portions of its buildings have been repurposed as a police headquarters and a cultural center, while other sections remain abandoned, with shattered windows and collapsed roofs.
Just under a decade ago, the factory provided employment for over 2,000 people, a workforce that faced complete displacement due to shifts in global supply chains.
When the factory’s closure became a real threat years ago, the IG Metall union actively sought alternative production opportunities to save jobs.
Their surprising conclusion: weapons manufacturing. According to Uwe Garbe, the lead union representative for IG Metall in eastern Saxony, this direction was chosen due to the existing workforce’s expertise in welding and the facility’s heavy-lifting capabilities.
The union played a crucial role in engaging both state and federal politicians to secure a buyer, aiming to counteract the pervasive industrial decline that has impacted the region’s economy and political landscape.
Situated in a former coal-mining area along the Neisse River, which forms Germany’s border with Poland, Görlitz has faced persistent challenges since German reunification. The collapse of various industries and the outmigration of its youth have severely impacted the town.
Many residents attribute the rising support for the AfD in local and regional elections to deep-seated economic frustration and a sense of political neglect.
Alexander Schulz, a 43-year-old worker at a Birkenstock plant, now Görlitz’s largest employer, expressed his personal disappointment regarding the town’s pivot to weapons manufacturing. Yet, he acknowledged the wider anxieties that compelled its acceptance.
Schulz, enjoying a beer after work, stated, ‘The majority of people in town do not find it cool,’ explaining that residents fear Görlitz could become a target should war reach Germany.
He further elaborated on the prevalent fears: ‘A lot of people here are genuinely afraid. Concerns about work, money, paying off loans, and maintaining their homes are the most significant worries people carry.’
Additional reporting for this piece was provided by Jim Tankersley from Berlin.