In brief
Germany’s eastern Saxony‑Anhalt is gearing up for a historic election that could give the far‑right Alternative for Germany a state‑level mandate for the first time. The party’s lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund is dominating media and grassroots rallies, capitalising on discontent over immigration, the economy and foreign aid. Opponents warn of the AfD’s extremist pedigree and domestic intelligence is calling the party’s local branch a “racist ideology.” If the AfD wins, it would break the long‑standing firewall that excludes the far right from coalition governments, forcing a new political reckoning across Germany.
Germany is holding its breath this weekend as a seismic election looms in the eastern state of Saxony‑Anhalt.
The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) seeks a majority in the regional parliament, which would mark the first time a far‑right party has controlled a German state since the Second World War.
For opponents, the stakes are high, while the AfD sees the election as a stepping stone toward nationwide influence.
The party’s top candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, dominates media coverage and supporters, drawing on nostalgia and discontent with the economy, immigration and foreign aid.
Questions remain about the AfD’s extremist ties, with domestic intelligence labeling its Saxony‑Anhalt branch as a racist ideology and anti‑constitutional.
Should the AfD win, it would break the Brandmauer firewall that keeps the far right out of coalition, forcing other parties to confront it directly in government.
Live updates and crowdsourced reactions will track how the vote unfolds.
