Radical Shift: AfD's New Manifesto Ahead of Elections in Saxony-Anhalt

Tue Apr 14 2026 10:01:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The far-right Alternative für Deutschland party, poised for potential electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt, unveils a controversial manifesto advocating stringent immigration policies and pro-German family support measures.

The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is gaining traction in Saxony-Anhalt's upcoming elections, with their newly adopted manifesto receiving attention for its radical proposals. If victorious, it would mark a historic moment as the first far-right party to gain power in a German state since World War Two. The manifesto includes plans for strict immigration policies and incentives for ethnically German families, while promising to challenge existing government strategies on immigration and foreign relations.

The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is riding high in the opinion polls in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt and could win an outright majority in regional elections there in September. This would be the first time a far-right party has held power in a German state since World War Two.

This weekend, the AfD officially adopted what has been described as a radical and pro-ethnic German government programme for Saxony-Anhalt at a party conference in Magdeburg.

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's leading candidate in the state, expressed that it was an historic moment, stating, The whole of Germany is watching this historic election. He has indicated that the political landscape could shift dramatically, with potential implications not just for Saxony-Anhalt, but for Germany as a whole.

The 150-page programme seeks to reform Saxony-Anhalt significantly, proposing measures such as a crackdown on immigration and support initiatives for large families of German descent. Furthermore, the platform advocates for improved relations with Russia, opposing the federal government's stance on support for Ukraine.

Some policies outlined in the manifesto—such as the deportation of refugees and asylum seekers—face skepticism regarding their feasibility at a state level. Nonetheless, many other initiatives are believed to be achievable.

This proposal aligns with the party's broader agenda, which includes addressing concerns about safety and identity among Germans, as articulated by Siegmund: We don't feel safe anymore, that we scarcely feel at home anymore, that we don't recognise our homeland anymore. Let's take back our country!

Critics of the AfD, such as Eva von Angern of the left-wing Linke Party, have condemned the manifesto as a nightmare scenario and expressed concerns about its authoritarian undertones, suggesting it would undermine fundamental rights and democracy.

Saxony-Anhalt has long been a stronghold for the AfD, mirroring the party's escalating popularity throughout Germany, where it secured 20.8% of the vote in the last federal elections.

As Saxony-Anhalt approaches its pivotal elections, the ramifications of the AfD's proposed agenda will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the nation, potentially influencing similar movements across Europe.