The German right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is heading into the final days of the Saxony-Anhalt election campaign with a commanding lead, as its candidate for prime minister Ulrich Siegmund seeks to form the party’s first ever state government.
A new poll puts the AfD at 42%, while the centre-right governing CDU of Prime Minister Sven Schulze is at 22%. The far-left Die Linke stands at 11%, the Social Democrats (SPD) at 8%, and the Greens at 6%. Other parties would currently fail to clear the 5% threshold.
The election takes place next Sunday, September 6th.
The Saxony-Anhalt figures reflect a general disillusionment with establishment parties across eastern Germany.
According to a new survey, seen by Junge Freiheit, the AfD would receive 43% in the eastern states excluding Berlin if a federal election were held today. Die Linke follows with 16%, ahead of the CDU, polling at just 13%. The SPD and Greens are both at 9%.
Against this backdrop, Ulrich Siegmund used an MDR television debate on the evening of Wednesday, August 26th to present himself as the candidate of political change.
He said the AfD was “on the right track” and promised to “reorganise” migration if elected. He argued that reducing spending on asylum and non-governmental organisations could free up €300-500 million for schools and hospitals.
Siegmund accused the CDU of having an “out-of-touch perspective” after 24 years in government in Saxony-Anhalt.
Asked about his priorities, he said he wanted to do what was right for “our own country and our own people.”
Siegmund said he would not seek support from other parties and declared that an AfD victory would be “the beginning of a political change” across Germany.
Even with 42%, however, the AfD could fall short of an outright majority. This means the CDU would most likely team up with all the leftist parties just to avoid having to cooperate with the AfD.
This would mean disregarding the wishes of a significant proportion of voters who are calling for change, including stricter migration policies and a less radical approach to green policies.