World News
Saxony-Anhalt prepares for state election as far-right AfD leads polls
Migrant groups and local politicians report mixed reactions to the party's platform calling for increased deportations.
The short version
- The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leads polling with over 40% support ahead of the September 6 state election in Saxony-Anhalt.
- The AfD's platform emphasizes restrictive immigration measures, including increased deportations and a platform calling for remigration.
- Saxony-Anhalt's foreign resident population stood at approximately 193,000 people, or 7.9% of the state population, by late 2025.
- Community representatives and politicians hold differing views on how the election outcome will affect the daily lives and security of local foreign nationals.
Key facts
- Saxony-Anhalt's state election is scheduled to take place on September 6.[Deutsche Welle]
- Polling ahead of the election places the AfD at over 40%, ahead of the center-right Christian Democratic Union at around 24%.[Deutsche Welle]
- By the end of 2025, about 193,000 foreign citizens lived in Saxony-Anhalt, constituting a 7.9% share of the population.[Deutsche Welle]
- The AfD's election program advocates for increased deportations, remigration initiatives, and incentives for emigrated German skilled workers to return.[Deutsche Welle]
What remains uncertain
- The specific scope and implementation details of the AfD's proposed remigration policies are not clearly defined in its election manifesto.[Deutsche Welle]
- It remains unknown how the polling lead will translate into actual election results and government formation after September 6.[Deutsche Welle]
Sources
- What does Saxony-Anhalt's election mean for migrants?Deutsche Welle