AfD Leader Siegmund Pledges to Accept Election Results, Cites Need for Vigilance
Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund stated his party will accept democratic election results in Saxony-Anhalt, even if they narrowly miss an absolute majority.
- Siegmund emphasized the principle of "trust is good, control is better," citing past irregularities in elections.
- He urged voters to participate in vote counting to ensure transparency and prevent potential accusations.
Ulrich Siegmund, a leading candidate for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has stated that his party will respect the outcome of the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt. Siegmund affirmed that as democrats, they accept all democratic results, even if the AfD falls just short of securing an absolute majority.
However, Siegmund also cautioned against complacency, invoking the adage "trust is good, control is better." He pointed to isolated incidents of irregularities in past elections, suggesting that while not large-scale, such issues can occur. Therefore, he indicated that the party would conduct a thorough review of all information before finalizing their acceptance of the results.
Siegmund specifically addressed concerns regarding the double printing and distribution of postal ballots in Magdeburg and Halle, noting that such events do not foster confidence in the electoral process. He clarified that he was not making blanket accusations, acknowledging that most election officials perform their duties diligently. He referred to these instances as involving "very few black sheep."
To ensure the integrity and transparency of the election, Siegmund encouraged all eligible voters in Saxony-Anhalt to cast their ballots and participate in the vote counting process. His recommendation aims to guarantee that the election is conducted securely and to preempt any potential challenges or accusations regarding its fairness.
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.