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🇦🇷 Argentina /Elections & Politics

Far right stands on the brink of winning its first regional government in Germany

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is close to winning its first state government in elections in eastern Germany’s Upper Saxony.
  • A poll published Thursday put AfD support at 41%, ahead of the Christian Democratic Union at 23%, while other parties trailed in single digits or near 11.5%.
  • A victory could strengthen the anti-immigration party and increase pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of further regional elections.

A result long feared by the European Union and many Germans is now close to becoming reality: the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, could win its first regional government in Upper Saxony in eastern Germany.

An Upper Saxony open to the world

· Protesters at the Magdeburg demonstrationThe slogan used by about 15,000 people protesting against the far right and supporting democracy.

Thousands demonstrated in Magdeburg, the state capital, on Saturday against the far right and in support of democracy, while AfD held its final campaign rally. About 15,000 people gathered in Cathedral Square under the slogan “An Upper Saxony open to the world,” presenting the event as a defense of democracy, diversity and solidarity.

The electoral spotlight, however, appears to be on AfD. The party is not guaranteed enough votes to govern alone, but a victory would give fresh momentum to its anti-immigration campaign and increase pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. With Merz watching the vote closely, a defeat could add to concerns ahead of elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin on Sept. 20.

remigration and deportation

· Alternative for GermanyThe party’s campaign pledge targeting irregular migrants.

AfD has polled at 40% or more in the state for months, led by 35-year-old candidate Ulrich Siegmund. Supporters celebrate him at rallies and on TikTok. The latest poll, published Thursday, placed AfD at 41%, followed by the CDU of regional premier Sven Schulze at 23%, The Left at 11.5%, the Social Democratic Party at 8.5% and the Greens at 6%.

make history

· Ulrich SiegmundHis description of what he hopes to do by winning the regional election.

AfD’s campaign promises include an immediate drive for “remigration and deportation” targeting irregular migrants, a ban on LGBTQ pride rainbow flags in public schools and an end to new wind farm construction. The party, which is described as aligned with Moscow, has also drawn on nostalgia for communist East Germany and resentment over the enduring wealth gap with the west. Siegmund says he wants to “make history” and lead a political revolution from the state of 2.1 million people, hoping it will propel AfD toward a national victory in 2029. Journalist Jana Hansel described him as “a right-wing Robin Hood” who promises people he will return their state to them.

a right-wing Robin Hood

· Jana HanselThe journalist’s description of Siegmund and his appeal to voters.
About this summary

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. 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.

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