Germany's Far-Right AfD Bids for First Taste of Power in Eastern Vote
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Jessica Parker, Berlin correspondent (Getty Images)
The AfD's Ulrich Siegmund is leading the polls in Sunday's Saxony-Anhalt state election.
Germany holds its breath this weekend as a seismic election takes place in the country's east. The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party aims to secure a majority in the regional parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, marking the first time a far-right party has held state-level power since World War II.
For AfD opponents, this is a point of serious peril. However, the party views it as a stepping stone towards nationwide power. This election could very well change German history and potentially spell fresh trouble for embattled conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Booed during recent public appearances, Merz appears to be an electoral liability. Conversely, AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund has dominated discussion and media coverage, earning him the title of "Germany's Most Dangerous Man" from Der Spiegel magazine.
Siegmund brushes off reports that people with neo-Nazi affiliations hold influential roles within his party. He often posts photos on social media depicting him amidst adoring crowds or riding a retro East German scooter.
A lingering nostalgia for the past, coupled with a growing dissatisfaction with the present, has fueled the AfD's popularity in its eastern strongholds. Voters express frustration with immigration, public safety, Germany's struggling economy, high energy costs, and aid sent abroad to countries like Ukraine. Some believe the AfD offers a real chance for radical change, while others are less certain but feel betrayed by mainstream parties.
An AfD lawmaker once told me that if they gained regional government, then people would see "the sky won't fall in." However, some of the movement's detractors vehemently disagree with its controversial plans for Saxony-Anhalt, which include segregating child refugees into special classes and claiming "sexual deviations" should be combated.