"AFD seeks power acquisition"

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is leading in the polls for the upcoming elections in Saxony-Anhalt, according to Infratest Dimap. With the AfD polling at a staggering 39% in the region, what once seemed unthinkable - an AfD sole government in Saxony-Anhalt - is now within reach.

The AfD's lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, has been vocal about his ambitions for a sole government, setting the stage for potential political upheaval in the region.

Nationwide, the AfD's support hovers around 25%, a figure that once aimed to be halved by Friedrich Merz but now appears to have been a goal that has been backed off. Merz's initial intentions to curb the AfD's influence have yet to materialise, as the party continues to gain momentum.

The tightening of migration policy has shown no effect on the AfD's support, indicating that the party's rise is not being prevented by the conservatives. This leaves the political landscape in Saxony-Anhalt uncertain, as a possible coalition between democratic parties like the CDU and The Left could be fragile.

The CDU and The Left party in Saxony-Anhalt may have to form a coalition government due to the AfD's strong polling lead. However, leadership would likely be contested since the current CDU leader, Reiner Haseloff, plans to step down before the 2026 election. Forming stable cooperation is complicated by the CDU's 2018 resolution rejecting coalitions with The Left.

However, due to the AfD's strong polling lead, SPD politicians are urging the CDU to reconsider this ban to enable democratic government formation. Any collaboration might require pragmatic arrangements overcoming ideological differences to oppose the AfD's influence and to form a majority.

Such a coalition could provide the AfD with further arguments against the "system" due to its instability. The AfD has consistently positioned itself as an outsider party, critical of the political establishment, and a potential sole government in Saxony-Anhalt could further strengthen this narrative.

As the elections approach, the focus in Saxony-Anhalt remains on the AfD and the potential impact of their strong polling lead on the region's political landscape. The outcome of the elections could shape not only Saxony-Anhalt's future but also the broader political landscape of Germany.