Saxony-Anhalt: an AfD stronghold in Germany's east

Saxony-Anhalt, a federal state in Germany's east, holds a significant position in the nation's political landscape. The region boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage, being home to famous architects like those associated with the Bauhaus in Dessau, as well as the towns of Eisleben and Wittenberg, which commemorate the Reformation's initiator, Martin Luther.

The state is also known for the Chemical Triangle around Leuna and Bitterfeld, which accounts for around 10,000 jobs. The Harz mountain range and the Elbe River further define Saxony-Anhalt's geography. Following the phase-out of lignite coal, the southern part of the state is undergoing structural transformation. With approximately 2.1 million inhabitants, Saxony-Anhalt is one of Germany's sparsely populated states.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, led by Ulrich Siegmund, has gained substantial support in recent elections, challenging the ruling conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for the first time since German reunification. Despite the AfD's popularity, it remains uncertain if it can form the government. The CDU has been the dominant governing party in the state since reunification, but it has seen a significant loss of support.

This shift has raised concerns about the potential reshaping of constitutional order and erosion of liberal democratic principles under the AfD's leadership.