With elections for a new state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt scheduled for autumn 2026, the leading candidate for the CDU, Sven Schulze, has issued a stark warning. He stated that a victory for the AfD would render the state “virtually ungovernable.” Schulze also addressed the current polling numbers for the CDU.
CDU Leader Warns of Consequences
Approximately nine months before the state election, Schulze cautioned against the prospect of the AfD assuming governmental responsibility. He told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that AfD leading candidate Ulrich Siegmund surrounds himself with “people you definitely shouldn’t put in positions of power.”
According to Schulze, if the AfD were to take power, it “would inflict truly indescribable damage on the state of Saxony-Anhalt and all of Germany.” He firmly stated, “There will be no AfD ministers or Left Party ministers in my cabinet.”
Schulze also considered the reasons behind the AfD’s current success in the polls. He suggested that “there are fears about the future, and people apparently want to send a signal in the election.” However, he deemed this signal “irresponsible,” arguing that an AfD victory would place the state in an “extremely difficult situation” for five years.
Polling Data Shows AfD Lead
The AfD has been consistently classified as a far-right party in Saxony-Anhalt and has recently led in opinion polls. A mid-October survey by the Insa institute for the news portal “Nius” showed the AfD at 40 percent, the CDU at 26 percent, the Left Party at 11 percent, and the SPD and BSW at 6 percent each. The Greens and FDP would not be represented in the state parliament, according to the poll.
Regarding the polling results for his CDU and the AfD, Schulze stated, “If these numbers were to materialize, the state of Saxony-Anhalt would be virtually ungovernable.” He emphasized that the poll results are merely snapshots in time and reiterated his goal to win the election and outperform the AfD.
Schulze also addressed the poor polling numbers for the federal government led by his party colleague, Friedrich Merz. He attributed this to “false expectations management,” stating that “the government of Friedrich Merz should correct the expectations management. Not everything can be solved immediately.” He suggested this may be contributing to the current unfavorable polling numbers for the federal government, as “simply too high expectations were raised.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current political situation in Saxony-Anhalt?
Saxony-Anhalt is currently governed by a coalition of the CDU, SPD, and FDP. The AfD is the second-strongest faction in the state parliament. A new parliament will be elected on September 6th.
What are Sven Schulze’s concerns about the AfD?
Sven Schulze believes that an AfD victory in the upcoming election would cause “indescribable damage” to Saxony-Anhalt and Germany, and would make the state “virtually ungovernable.” He also expressed concerns about the individuals associated with AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund.
What does Schulze say about the federal government’s current polling numbers?
Schulze attributes the federal government’s poor polling numbers to unrealistic expectations. He believes the government should manage expectations more effectively, as not all problems can be solved immediately.
Given the current political climate and the potential for significant shifts in power, how might voters weigh their options in the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt state elections?
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