Who is Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD hardliner who wants to lead Saxony-Anhalt?
The AfD's lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt is media-savvy and polling strongly. What lies behind the ever-present smile and relaxed charm of the candidate who has been called 'the most dangerous man in Germany'?
Ulrich Siegmund is the lead candidate for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. He is known for his media-savvy approach and strong polling, currently leading the party with over 40 percent support ahead of state elections on September 6th. Siegmund, who is 36 years old, grew up in Tangermünde, Saxony-Anhalt and joined the AfD during the eurozone crisis, eventually becoming the party's health policy spokesman in the state parliament.
His popularity in Saxony-Anhalt is largely due to his well-managed image, which includes smiling, shaking hands, and crafting social media content. However, Siegmund's rise to prominence has not been without controversy. He was part of the 2023 Potsdam meeting that sparked national attention and political scandals due to its links to discussions about mass expulsions and the removal of people with migrant backgrounds from Germany.
Additionally, several people in Siegmund's circle have backgrounds in extremist organizations, including former members of the Identitarian Movement and neo-Nazi youth organization. The AfD's 100-day program for Saxony-Anhalt includes calls for deportations, expanding detention facilities, and removing rainbow flags from schools.
Written by urgent.news from The Local Germany's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
