Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt: Schulze gegen Siegmund: Wer beim Fernsehduell geliefert hat

Just days before the upcoming Landtag election in Saxony-Anhalt, the main candidates from both parties clashed in an MDR television debate: Sven Schulze of the CDU and Ulrich Siegmund of the AfD. The tone of the initial exchange between CDU candidate Sven Schulze and his AFDProminent rival Ulrich Siegmund was at times rough. Following their initial meeting, the round expanded to include the leading contenders from other parties.

Siegmund described Schulze as "a flimsy blade," while Schulze countered with criticism of Siegmund's lack of a clear plan for the future, especially concerning jobs. Siegmund pointed to the millions invested in the Wittenberg-Chester industrial site in Piesteritz as evidence of his commitment, stating, "I don't just talk, I deliver."

Schulze, in turn, accused him of having a "highly elevated perspective." The CDU, which has governed the state for 24 years, cannot admit that kindergartens are free, Schulmeister said. "We are on the right track," Siegmund insisted, citing his plans and the AfD's poll numbers. The debate became increasingly abrasive, with both candidates occasionally speaking over each other.

Siegmund labeled Schulze as "a flimsy blade" but later clarified that he meant this politically, not personally. Schulze refused to label Siegmund as a right-wing extremist, stating, "I won't judge him as a person. I can't do that. But I know who he surrounds himself with." Members of Siegmund's entourage are described as "dangerous and extreme individuals."

Schulze accused his opponent of making empty promises, stating, "He creates the impression that everything is possible," a statement he would never use on his own campaign posters. Schulze emphasized the need for realism in communicating with the people, while Siegmund declined to be specific about his top priorities, saying he would do what is right for the state and its people, and wants less migration.

The candidates are united in their concern for cohesion, regardless of the election outcome. Both fear a divided country, Siegmund said, while Schulze insisted that the state would be led by a non-divisive, unifying premier. The current situation sees the AfD expanding its lead over the CDU. According to a new Infratest dimap poll for the ARD, the AfD, classified as a right-wing extremist party in the state, received 42 percent support - one percentage point higher than in July.

The CDU trails at 22 percent, losing two points compared to the last survey. The Greens, Left, SPD, and FDP follow with 6, 11, 8, and 3 percent respectively. No party is likely to reach the five percent threshold for representation. Around one in ten eligible voters (11 percent) said they might change their party preference before the election.

With such a result, the AfD would not achieve a majority government. A CDU-led minority government with the SPD and Greens could potentially seek the support of the Left. According to the poll, CDU voters are evenly split (47 percent) on whether a CDU-led state government should be supported by the Left.