The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is gaining traction in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, where it could potentially win an outright majority in the upcoming regional elections in September. This election could mark the first time a far-right party has held power in a German state since World War Two.
This weekend, the AfD adopted a new government program characterized as 'radical' and pro-ethnic German during a party conference held in Magdeburg. Ulrich Siegmund, the party's leading candidate and a popular figure on social media, pronounced it a historic moment for both the state and Germany.
Siegmund stated, 'The whole of Germany is watching this historic election,' emphasizing the global attention on their political platform. The newly adopted manifesto outlines aggressive stances on immigration, proposing a clamp down on non-German immigrants and advocating support for families of German origin. Plans suggested by the AfD include consistent deportations, remigration policies, and bolstered support for ethnically German families.
Critics, including Eva von Angern, leader of the left-wing Linke Party in Saxony-Anhalt, have described the manifesto as a blueprint for an authoritarian state that would undermine democratic values and civil rights.
While the manifesto's proposals, which span over 150 pages, include increased support for large families and entertainment of Russian relations contrary to federal policies, some proposals are viewed as impractical without federal support. This surge in support for the AfD reflects broader trends across Germany, where they garnered 20.8% of the vote in the last federal elections, securing a historic number of parliamentary seats.
The AfD's push toward radical policies raises alarm regarding the future political landscape in Germany, particularly in former East German states where the AfD holds considerable sway.
