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Saxony-Anhalt leader dismisses AfD defection fears
🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

Saxony-Anhalt leader dismisses AfD defection fears

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Saxony-Anhalt's Minister-President Sven Schulze (CDU) dismissed speculation about potential party switchers to the AfD after the state election.
  • Schulze stated that he knows all CDU candidates and believes no one will defect to the AfD, questioning the logic of such a move given the AfD's criticism.
  • Recent polls show the CDU significantly trailing the AfD in the upcoming state election, with a local CDU politician's donation to the AfD causing internal unrest.

Sven Schulze, the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt and lead candidate for the CDU, has firmly rejected any notion that members might defect to the AfD following the upcoming state election. He asserted his confidence in the CDU's candidates, stating, "I know all the candidates, and it will not happen."

I know all the candidates, and it will not happen.

— Sven SchulzeMinister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, dismissing speculation about CDU members defecting to the AfD.

Schulze questioned the rationale behind any potential move to the AfD, highlighting the constant criticism the CDU has faced from the far-right party. "We have been insulted every day for five years in the state parliament about how bad we are and what we are all supposedly incapable of, by the AfD," he remarked in a "Politico" podcast. "Why would anyone switch to the AfD? That's nonsense!"

We have been insulted every day for five years in the state parliament about how bad we are and what we are all supposedly incapable of, by the AfD.

— Sven SchulzeExplaining his reasoning against CDU members switching to the AfD.

His comments come as the CDU faces a significant challenge in Saxony-Anhalt. Polls indicate the CDU is trailing the AfD by nearly 20 percentage points just two weeks before the election. Adding to the internal tension, a local CDU politician from Saxony-Anhalt recently caused controversy by donating 10,000 euros to the AfD and publicly endorsing the party.

Why would anyone switch to the AfD? That's nonsense!

— Sven SchulzeExpressing disbelief at the idea of CDU members joining the AfD.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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