🔶 Saxony-Anhalt and the test of the Alternative for Germany party’s rise to power for Germany

🔶 Saxony-Anhalt and the test of the Alternative for Germany party’s rise to power for Germany

Saxony-Anhalt, with a population of about 2.1 million, is considered a relatively sparsely populated state. Only two cities—Magdeburg, the state capital, and Halle—have more than 200,000 residents.

But despite its small population, in September 2026 international media will turn their attention to this small eastern German state for the first time in the post–World War II history of Germany, because in Saxony-Anhalt, for the first time, it is possible that a nomination from a party that, in parts, has been classified by Germany’s domestic intelligence service or the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as “definitely far-right” could reach the position of head of the state government.

The “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) party, with its lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, is leading clearly in all polls.