Saxony-Anhalt, one of Germany's 16 federal states, boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage. This region, known for Bauhaus architecture, Martin Luther's reforms, and the chemical industry, is now at the center of political attention.
Ahead of the September 6 election, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling above 40%. This could mark the first time in postwar German history that a candidate from a party classified as 'confirmed right-wing extremist' becomes the head of a state government.
The AfD's lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, holds a clear lead in all opinion polls. The conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which has governed the state since reunification, trails far behind with support between 23% and 26%. The state's domestic intelligence agency has classified the AfD as a 'confirmed right-wing extremist' organization, but this has done little to dent its popularity.
CDU politician Reiner Haseloff, who served as state premier for 15 years, stepped down in January 2026. In an interview with Der Spiegel, he said he often felt 'as though I were in the final phase of the Weimar Republic's Reichstag, or later in Berlin's Sportpalast' while sitting in the state parliament.
Experts attribute the AfD's strong showing largely to widespread dissatisfaction with developments in Germany. Many jobs disappeared after reunification, particularly in the lignite mining and chemical industries. The state also faces pronounced demographic challenges: with an average age of 48.3 years, it had Germany's oldest population in 2024.
Although the state's foreign population remains comparatively small, it has increased markedly over the past decade. The number of people without German citizenship has more than doubled since 2015, fueling anti-immigration sentiment.
Political scientist Benjamin Höhne of Chemnitz University of Technology believes the AfD would seek to reshape the constitutional order if it took power. He suggests the AfD is closely watching the Trump administration in the US and intends to pursue a similar course.
On September 6, all eyes will be on this small state in the center of Germany. The election is expected to be a significant test for the German political landscape.
Source: www.dw.com