Far-right party AfD aims for solo rule in Saxony-Anhalt region

In the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, the top candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Ulrich Siegmund, has declared his ambition to lead an independent state government.

According to recent polls, the AfD is currently leading in the state with 39 percent, while the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) trails behind with 27 percent. Almost half of those surveyed (47 percent) prefer a state government led by the CDU, as before, while more than a third (37 percent) would like an AfD government.

Siegmund, the leader of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, has outlined his plans for a radical tightening of the migration policy if elected. He intends to switch from cash to in-kind benefits and reduce all other incentives. Moreover, Siegmund has announced plans for a deportation offensive and the "central and secure accommodation" of all refugees.

The CDU, led by Hendrik Lasch, has been trying to distance itself from the Green party to avoid a defeat in the state election. The CDU will be fielding the 46-year-old Minister of Economics and state chairman, Sven Schulze, as their candidate for the office of Minister-President in Saxony-Anhalt for the next state elections in September 2026.

The current Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff (CDU), will not be running in the next state election. Wolfgang Hübner Haseloff is stepping down as the head of government of Saxony-Anhalt after three terms.

Siegmund, in his bid for independence, emphasised the need for a secure majority to offer a stable and reliable government. The AfD in Saxony-Anhalt aims to become the "blue lighthouse of Germany" in Saxony-Anhalt.

The AfD's ambitious plans and the CDU's efforts to regain support will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of Saxony-Anhalt in the coming months, leading up to the state elections next year.