AfD holds a massive lead ahead of Saxony-Anhalt elections

Saxony-Anhalt could become the first German federal state to be led by a party that authorities have so far officially classified as right-wing extremist. According to the latest poll by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party retains an overwhelming lead over its rivals ahead of the upcoming regional elections.

The survey shows AfD's support slipping slightly from 43% to 41% compared to Tuesday's previous reading, but the gap over second-placed CDU still stands at 18 percentage points. For the past 24 years, the state's premiership has been held by CDU representatives. Now, however, the current head of government, Sven Schulze of the CDU, could be replaced by Ulrich Siegmund — according to The Guardian, the leading face of AfD in the region.

Popularity worthy of a pop star

As The Guardian notes, the 35-year-old Siegmund — a former air-freshener salesman with a degree in commercial psychology — possesses a charisma and wit that, in the paper's view, most German politicians lack. He commands a sizeable following on TikTok, and supporters greet him across Saxony-Anhalt like a genuine pop star. He is known for often getting around on a moped built before German reunification. Der Spiegel recently dubbed him the most dangerous man in Germany — at least for the CDU.

AfD is gaining ground both in Saxony-Anhalt and nationwide by promising to deport "illegal migrants" "from the very first minute" it takes power. The party also intends to push a patriotic agenda and replace the state's current advertising slogan, "Think modern," with "Think German."

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz