AfD Saxony-Anhalt: Preparation for Government Participation on Lanz

Bender also pointed to the Hessian AfD state spokesman Andreas Lichert, who is counting on the entry of numerous AfD representatives from Schnellroda into an AfD government. Lawyers are being specifically sought out in right-wing fraternities, Bender stated verbatim: „In rechts gerichteten Burschenschaften werden momentan gezielt Juristen gesucht." In addition, the AfD already has a cabinet list that is not being made public: „Die haben sie schon. Über die geben sie auch nicht Auskunft."

Classification as right-wing extremist

Bender classified the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt as confirmed right-wing extremist and said: „Sie sind gesichert rechtsextrem. Sie sind nicht eine Partei wie jede andere." The state AfD is classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as confirmed right-wing extremist. Several interior ministers have called for precautionary measures and raised security concerns in light of a possible AfD election victory in Saxony-Anhalt.

Siegmund confirmed the preparations and said: „Das ist völlig korrekt. Wir bereiten uns seit mehreren Jahren darauf vor. Wir brauchen gute Leute. (…) Wir möchten auf Qualität setzen." When asked about possible ministry dissolutions, he said he wanted to provide details only after the election: „Das werde ich Ihnen vor der Wahl nicht verraten (…). Ein paar Überraschungen brauche ich noch (…) nach der Wahl."

At the same time, Siegmund addressed reform plans: „Wir möchten mindestens ein bis zwei Ministerien streichen." The state administration had „immer größer geworden" and had „aufgebläht," according to the lead candidate. Savings should also be made on the party's own work: „Das ist auch ein Anspruch, dass wir an uns selbst sparen." In the event of government participation, observers expect noticeable changes for universities and scientific institutions in Saxony-Anhalt.

Dispute over the qualification of candidates

In the discussion about migration and interior policy priorities, Siegmund pushed back against prejudging applicants: „Wir gucken uns die Menschen vorurteilsfrei an. Bei uns gibt es keine Gesinnungsprüfung." Bender countered: „Entschuldigung, es werden auch Rechtsextreme gesucht."

In addition, Siegmund warned against being overwhelmed by federal politics. The state is dependent on „völlig verrückten Entscheidungen in Berlin," he said. The central political course-setting must also take place at the federal level: „Das große Rad müsse aber in Berlin gedreht werden." According to Siegmund, people in Saxony-Anhalt care more about inflation and security in the cities than about ministry restructurings: „Die Leute in diesem Land interessiert nicht, ob ich jetzt das Bildungsministerium mit dem Wissenschaftsministerium zusammenlege."

Internal pressure on the AfD had recently also grown due to internal letters accusing the party of a „korrupten System," „mafiösen Strukturen" and a „mutmaßlichen Veruntreuung." Siegmund did not address this in detail on the show. A new state parliament will be elected in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6; the AfD is currently polling around 40 percent, well ahead of the currently governing CDU.

Siegmund commented on the polling numbers: „Das ist wahrscheinlich der Grund, warum wir aktuell bei 42 Prozent in Sachsen-Anhalt stehen." According to its own statements, the party is running with the goal of providing a minister-president for the first time in a German state and governing there alone. There is eager anticipation of how the personnel debates and security concerns will affect the election campaign.

Looking ahead to the state election in September

The events also cast a spotlight on the handling of possible coalition scenarios. Since the AfD has so far strictly rejected cooperation with the established parties, the question of a solo government or a minority government is emerging in the event of a clear election victory. Observers see the show as the most definitive public confirmation to date of strategic government planning by the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt.

At the end of the show, Siegmund pointed to the need for sound fiscal policy and simultaneously announced that the planned measures would be embedded in cross-departmental structures. He left open which ministries would specifically be affected but reiterated the time pressure from the election platform: the goal was to act „so schnell wie möglich" once the financial leeway was available.