AfD Campaigns in Saxony-Anhalt as Party Eyes Historic State Government Victory

The final sprint before Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt has intensified, with AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund drawing large crowds to a campaign event in Magdeburg. Supportes lined up for hours for photos with the 35-year-old politician, who is widely regarded as the AfD’s rising star in eastern Germany. The party is currently classified by the state’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a confirmed far-right extremist organization.

Siegmund outlined an aggressive policy agenda to Euronews, emphasizing a complete overhaul of migration laws. He stated his intention to redirect funds currently used for illegal migrants and criminals toward “our own country.” Within his first 100 days in office, Siegmund plans to implement a work obligation for asylum seekers, regulate the use of fire service driving licenses, and mandate flag displays at schools.

“What has been destroyed will take a few years to rebuild,” Siegmund acknowledged, describing these measures as the first concrete steps toward societal progress. The campaign festival in Magdeburg featured prominent AfD figures, including Thuringian politician Stephan Brandner and co-chair Tino Chrupalla, energizing thousands of supporters who chanted “We are the people” and “We are the Wende.”

Current polling by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen for ZDF places the AfD at approximately 41%, a significant surge from its 20.8% share in the 2021 election. The CDU trails in second place with 23%, while The Left party holds third at 11.5%. Despite this lead, the AfD may not secure enough seats to govern alone, given that all major parties have rejected coalition talks with them.

CDU leader Dennis Radtke warned that partnering with the AfD would destroy his party. “The moment we start working with this party… the CDU is finished,” Radtke said on ZDF’s “Maybrit Illner” program. Chancellor Friedrich Merz reinforced this stance, stating that cooperation with both the AfD and The Left party is impossible due to fundamental differences.

Eva von Angern, the lead candidate for The Left party, expressed optimism despite the hostile political climate she described in the state parliament. She remains convinced that voters will reject an AfD single-party government and are committed to preserving diversity in Saxony-Anhalt. Meanwhile, other parties like the BSW, SPD, and Greens struggle to maintain momentum, with the SPD and Greens recently climbing to 8.5% and 6% respectively.