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 a radical and pro-ethnic German government programme for Saxony-Anhalt at a party conference in Magdeburg. Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's leading candidate in the state, referred to the occasion as an historic moment for both Saxony-Anhalt and Germany.
The whole of Germany is watching this historic election, he stated, asserting that the outcome could signify a political turnaround for the country. The proposed programme includes plans to overhaul Saxony-Anhalt, clamp down on immigration, and provide support for large families of German origin. It includes a significant stance towards Russia, directly opposing the federal coalition government's support for Ukraine.
Siegmund emphasized the party's intention to engage in consistent deportations and mentioned measures aimed at promoting remigration—the mass removal of individuals identified as having non-German backgrounds. The AfD's platform has drawn widespread criticism, with many describing it as a nightmare scenario for Saxony-Anhalt and our democracy, suggesting that it promotes an authoritarian shift that would infringe upon fundamental rights.
The manifesto is characterized by opposition to existing immigration policies and advocates for benefits aimed purely at ethnically German families. It also features calls to stop recognizing Ukrainians as war refugees, arguing that such recognitions do not serve Germany's interests.
While the AfD has gained strength in Saxony-Anhalt, where it is seen as an enduring force, it has also gained traction nationwide, reflecting wider sentiments in the electorate against current political establishments. Observers caution that the adoption of the new manifesto could indicate the party's broader intentions should it gain further power across Germany.
In response to the rising support for the AfD, protests against its policies continue, and the party's classification as a far-right extremist organisation by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution underscores ongoing tensions and debates surrounding its growing influence.
