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. This would mark a historic moment as it would be the first time a far-right party has held power in a German state since World War Two.
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 party's top candidate in the state, Ulrich Siegmund, who has gained notoriety as a TikTok star, stated, 'The whole of Germany is watching this historic election.' He emphasized the significance of the moment, asserting that it could represent a political turnaround for Germany.
The newly adopted programme outlines sweeping reforms for Saxony-Anhalt, including strict immigration policies prioritizing ethnic Germans and large families. The manifesto calls for measures aimed at reversing current migration trends, with explicit references to deporting refugees and asylum seekers, while planning to house them in centralized accommodations. It also controversially advocates for 'remigration'—the mass removal of people with non-German backgrounds.
Siegmund and other party leaders argue that their policies stem from concerns about national identity and safety, with the aim to restore a sense of belonging among ethnic Germans. Notably, the AfD's programme directly contradicts the federal policies supporting Ukraine, seeking to improve relations with Russia instead and pushing for the lifting of energy sanctions.
Critics, including Eva von Angern, leader of the left-wing Linke Party in Saxony-Anhalt, have denounced the AfD's plans as a 'nightmare scenario' for democracy, warning that the party promotes an authoritarian state offensive against fundamental rights. The recent emergence of such extreme policies reflects the AfD's growing influence in German politics, particularly in Saxony-Anhalt, a recognized stronghold for the party, evident from its second-place finish in the federal elections last year.
Despite the controversial nature of its proposals, the AfD appears determined to leverage its rising popularity and could reshape the political landscape in Germany in the upcoming polls.
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 party's top candidate in the state, Ulrich Siegmund, who has gained notoriety as a TikTok star, stated, 'The whole of Germany is watching this historic election.' He emphasized the significance of the moment, asserting that it could represent a political turnaround for Germany.
The newly adopted programme outlines sweeping reforms for Saxony-Anhalt, including strict immigration policies prioritizing ethnic Germans and large families. The manifesto calls for measures aimed at reversing current migration trends, with explicit references to deporting refugees and asylum seekers, while planning to house them in centralized accommodations. It also controversially advocates for 'remigration'—the mass removal of people with non-German backgrounds.
Siegmund and other party leaders argue that their policies stem from concerns about national identity and safety, with the aim to restore a sense of belonging among ethnic Germans. Notably, the AfD's programme directly contradicts the federal policies supporting Ukraine, seeking to improve relations with Russia instead and pushing for the lifting of energy sanctions.
Critics, including Eva von Angern, leader of the left-wing Linke Party in Saxony-Anhalt, have denounced the AfD's plans as a 'nightmare scenario' for democracy, warning that the party promotes an authoritarian state offensive against fundamental rights. The recent emergence of such extreme policies reflects the AfD's growing influence in German politics, particularly in Saxony-Anhalt, a recognized stronghold for the party, evident from its second-place finish in the federal elections last year.
Despite the controversial nature of its proposals, the AfD appears determined to leverage its rising popularity and could reshape the political landscape in Germany in the upcoming polls.
