AfD plans mass deportations from 'first minute' if it wins Saxony-Anhalt election

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is signaling a hardline approach should it gain power in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The party has published its agenda for the first 100 days, which prominently features the expulsion of as many irregular migrants as possible.

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's lead candidate, stated that "all irregular migrants will be expelled right from the first minute." He emphasized the party's intention to "send back as many as possible," even suggesting the use of detention for deportation purposes. This stance aligns with a broader trend of right-wing parties gaining traction across Europe amid economic uncertainty.

Beyond immigration, the AfD's platform includes social conservatism. Siegmund declared the party's commitment to a "traditional family model" consisting of "a man, a woman, and the children of that couple." Consequently, the party aims to ban LGBTQ+ rainbow flags from schools, advocating instead for the German flag to be flown. The AfD also proposes revising history curricula to reduce the focus on Germany's guilt over the Nazi era.

Despite leading in opinion polls for the September 6 state election, the AfD faces significant obstacles. Other major parties have maintained a firm refusal to cooperate with the AfD, a stance known as the "firewall." This makes it difficult for the AfD to form a governing coalition, even if it secures a plurality of votes. The party is officially classified as a "confirmed" right-wing extremist organization by Germany's domestic intelligence service, the BfV, which allows for increased surveillance.