AfD's Ulrich Siegmund has plans for Saxony-Anhalt and beyond

This week, the focus is on Saxony-Anhalt as the state prepares for a crucial election on Sunday. The outcome could potentially usher in the first far-right government since World War II in Germany. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, led by Ulrich Siegmund, is currently dominating the polls. With a population of just 2 million, Saxony-Anhalt is the smallest of Germany's 16 federal states, and its economic performance and life expectancy are among the lowest in the nation.

Siegmund, a 35-year-old former perfume salesman who switched allegiance from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to the AfD, is well-liked and enjoys strong approval ratings, particularly among younger voters. However, the AfD's election campaign is marked by radical policies, such as proposing to deport foreign nationals without legal status, slashing funding to pro-democracy NGOs, and prioritizing national identity over social diversity.

Despite this, there are doubts about the AfD's ability to enforce these promises due to legal and practical constraints. The party has also faced criticism for alleged cronyism and associations with neo-Nazi groups, raising concerns about the potential impact on minority groups and democratic norms if they were to gain power.