Schulze warns of BSW and AfD: Saxony-Anhalt's Minister-President sees alliance at state level

The background is the CDU's difficult starting position in Saxony-Anhalt. In polls, the AfD is significantly ahead of Schulze's governing party. An independent CDU majority is unlikely according to the current state of affairs, which is why alliances after the election are gaining in importance.

Criticism of Weidel and Wagenknecht

The Minister-President also sharply attacked the leading figures of both parties. He said: "Ich möchte nicht, dass Sachsen-Anhalt von Frau Weidel aus der Schweiz und von Frau Wagenknecht aus dem Saarland regiert wird." AfD party leader Alice Weidel and BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht therefore live far away from Saxony-Anhalt.

Schulze accused both politicians of wanting to gain national political attention through the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. He said: "Auch das BSW und Sahra Wagenknecht wollen über Sachsen-Anhalt bundespolitisch ins Gespräch kommen." He also accused the AfD of wanting to gain greater national significance through the state parliament.

Starting situation before the election

The CDU is the governing party in Saxony-Anhalt under Minister-President Schulze. In the early new election on September 6, the Magdeburg state parliament will be newly determined. According to the current state of polls, it is unclear which coalitions will be possible in the future.

Schulze combines his warning with an indirect campaign recommendation. By portraying the cooperation between BSW and AfD as likely, he is trying to mobilize voters against such an alliance while also emphasizing the distance from the AfD in public debate.

Significance for government formation

The statements come at a phase in which possible government constellations in Saxony-Anhalt after the election are being speculated about. Should the BSW enter the new state parliament and decide to cooperate with the AfD there, this would have significant implications for government formation.

The report on Schulze's statements was distributed by the news agency AFP. Schulze is running as the CDU's top candidate in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt and, according to available information, remains Minister-President of the state.

With a view to the election campaign, Schulze emphasizes Saxony-Anhalt's independence from external influences. His criticism aims at the fact that, according to his understanding, politics in his federal state should not be determined by people outside the state — an argument directed primarily against the leadership of the AfD and the BSW.