The world turns its gaze on Saxony-Anhalt

Magdeburg (dpa/d.de) – Saxony-Anhalt is a small federal state in the east of Germany. Along with the other 15 federal states, it has no influence over the federal government in areas such as foreign policy. But today’s election to the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament is attracting enormous levels of attention across Germany and around the world. The outcome of the election will decide if the AfD could hold power in a federal state for the first time. The Saxony-Anhalt Office for Constitutional Protection considers the AfD a far-right extremist organisation. 

Today, 1.7 million people will be able to cast their votes between 8 am and 6 pm. The current government of Saxony-Anhalt is a coalition between the CDU, SPD and FDP parties, but all polls indicate the alliance is likely to lose its majority. The AfD is expected to become the far the strongest political force. The last poll carried out before the election put the AfD, led by Ulrich Siegmund, at 41%. 

The CDU, led by current Minister President Sven Schulze stood at 23%, while the Linke party came third on 11.5%, followed by the SPD on 8.5%. Twenty-six per cent of those polled said they were not sure whom they would support, or if they would vote at all.

If the AfD does not achieve an outright majority, they would have to rely on an alliance to form a government. However, none of the other parties is willing to enter into a coalition with them. If the AfD fails in this regard, a minority government led by the CDU could come into the picture, relying on votes from the left-wing Linke party. But the CDU has rejected the idea of forming a coalition with the Linke or the AfD. 

The growing strength of the AfD is causing concern to many people. Thousands took to the streets in Magdeburg yesterday to demonstrate in favour of democracy and open-mindedness. Event organisers estimated up to 20,000 people had taken part.