Landmark Election

Germany faces a landmark regional election Sunday in the ex-communist east where the far-right AfD is easily expected to win and has its sights on heading its first state government. Topping the polls in Saxony-Anhalt state would heap pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and spell another boost for the anti-immigration party.

For months the AfD has polled at 40 percent or higher in the state, led by its top candidate Ulrich Siegmund, a telegenic 35-year-old who is feted like a rock star at campaign events and by his legions of TikTok followers. His campaign promises include an immediate "remigration and deportation" offensive targeting irregular migrants, a ban on LGBTQ pride rainbow flags at public schools, and an end to new wind farms.

Right-wing extremist

Germany's domestic intelligence agency BfV categorises the AfD's state branch as a "right-wing extremist" organisation. In its latest report, the BfV documents that many AfD politicians in Saxony-Anhalt "employ language that demonises migrants" and routinely brand Muslim refugees as criminals, a collective disparagement that violates "the principle of human dignity".

All other major parties have so far maintained a "firewall" of non-cooperation with the AfD, although the tiny BSW party, which is economically on the left but veers right on immigration, has now signalled it may support the AfD forming a government. Siegmund has vowed to "make history" on Sunday and lead a political revolution from the small state of 2.1 million people.