{
  "id": 4644414,
  "title": "Germany: Sven Schulze takes on the far-right AfD",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/germany-sven-schulze-takes-on-the-far-right-afd",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T12:28:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/germany-sven-schulze-takes-on-the-far-right-afd/a-78509861?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, on September 6, 2023, has taken on significant importance due to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's strong polling performance. The AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by domestic intelligence agency, is polling over 40% compared to Sven Schulze's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at around 23%. Schulze, the youngest of Germany's 16 state premiers at 47, is hoping the AfD will stay below 50% to avoid forming a government alone and leave room for him to form a coalition.\n\nSchulze has been widely watched by the public and international media ahead of the election. He has been campaigning with various tactics, such as riding his bicycle through the state, engaging in small group discussions, and handing out ice cream on hot summer days. Schulze is not merely selling Berlin's ideas to Saxony-Anhalt but instead wants to bring local issues to Berlin.\n\nOne notable aspect of Schulze's campaign is his association with comedian and actor Dieter Hallervorden, who has been seen with Schulze on campaign events multiple times. Hallervorden, while not previously known as a CDU supporter, criticized the federal government's defense and arms export policies during one of Schulze's campaign events. Schulze defended the appearance by stating that he does not share or endorse Hallervorden's views but shared the stage to demonstrate his commitment to freedom of speech.",
  "summary": "The AfD is way ahead in the polls in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt. But the young state premier insists he can stop the far-right from leading a government for the first time since World War II.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "An upcoming election could produce modern Germany’s 1st far-right state governor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/an-upcoming-election-could-produce-modern-germanys-1st-far-right",
        "published": "2026-08-31T05:21:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "An upcoming election could produce modern Germany’s 1st far-right state governor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/an-upcoming-election-could-produce-modern-germanys-1st-far-right-4582427",
        "published": "2026-08-31T05:53:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}