AfD politician Siegmund runs for prime minister in Saxony-Anhalt, Wüst meets Erdoğan, Bertha von Suttner School wins German School Prize, Schlesinger in court

The AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund wants to stand for election as Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt. The election should therefore take place in December. But it is still unclear who exactly he wants to be elected by. “We are still in constructive discussions with another parliamentary group and with individual other members of the state parliament from other parliamentary groups,” said Siegmund. The AfD clearly won the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, but missed out on an absolute majority. Before the election, Siegmund had ruled out being elected by the votes of other parties. Why is Siegmund sure that he can win the election? And how could he succeed? Martin Nejezchleba, editor of ZEIT in the East, classifies it.

North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The trip was actually planned to mark the anniversary of the German-Turkish recruitment agreement. However, the visit to Erdoğan came as a surprise. So far, the Turkish president has only rarely received regional heads of government. Wüst's visit could also have national political and internal party consequences: Within the CDU, he is seen as a possible successor to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He is considered a beacon of hope and a model prime minister within the party. Does Wüst plan to replace the Chancellor? And what did he and the Turkish president talk about? Fabian Reinbold, political correspondent for ZEIT, answers these and other questions.

The Bertha von Suttner School near Frankfurt am Main has received the German School Prize. Although only around 15 percent of their students start the school with a recommendation for high school, around two thirds end up with the Abitur. The school proves “how well a well thought-out concept and personal support work together,” said a spokesman for the German School Prize. Jeannette Otto knows how the school has changed its teaching and what has been particularly successful. She attended school for ZEIT.

The former director of the rbb, Patricia Schlesinger, comes to court. The Berlin regional court has admitted a lawsuit from the public prosecutor's office from 2025. Schlesinger is accused of infidelity in 26 cases. It is primarily about bonus payments for Schlesinger, which, according to the indictment, were granted bypassing control committees. A series of allegations led to Schlesinger's resignation in 2022.

And otherwise? Is the schnitzel more German than the Austrians would like?

Moderation and production: Philip-Johann Moser

Editor: Hannah Grünewald

Collaboration: Benjamin Probst