The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is riding high in the opinion polls in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt and could win an outright majority in regional elections there in September. It would be the first time a far-right party has held power in a German state since the Second World War.
This weekend, the AfD officially adopted what has been described as a radical and pro-ethnic German government programme for Saxony-Anhalt at a party conference in Magdeburg. The AfD's leading candidate in the state, Ulrich Siegmund, a TikTok star, received a standing ovation from the delegates and asserted that it was a historic moment for both Saxony-Anhalt and Germany.
The whole of Germany is watching this historic election. Parts of Europe are watching this historic election. Parts of the world are watching this historic election, because from here, finally, the political turnaround can also happen here in Germany, Siegmund declared.
The party's manifesto, which spans over 150 pages, outlines extensive plans to overhaul Saxony-Anhalt, advocating for stricter immigration policies, supporting large German families, and proposing to strengthen relations with Russia. Siegmund has articulated the party's commitment to defend perceived German identities and address concerns surrounding safety and national belonging.
Measures proposed include consistent deportations, remigration of individuals with non-German backgrounds, and significant family support policies for ethnically German families. The AfD aims to counteract what it describes as the declining native German population.
The plans have raised significant concern among opposition parties, with criticisms labeling them a nightmare scenario for Saxony-Anhalt and for our democracy. The Linke party's leader, Eva von Angern, accused the AfD of fostering an authoritarian regime and called for public awareness regarding the implications of AfD governance.
Notably, the AfD has been classified by Germany's security services as a far-right extremist organization. Observers of the political landscape suggest that these proposals may set a precedent for the party's ambitions at a national scale. The manifesto includes contentious anti-immigration rhetoric, urging for a reversal of policies concerning Ukrainian refugees, calling for an end to their recognition as war refugees.
In response to the rising popularity of the AfD, several protests erupted outside the party conference, reflecting the societal division regarding the party’s radical proposals. As Saxony-Anhalt gears up for its elections, the results could reshape the landscape of German politics significantly.
