
On the one hand, what is currently happening in Saxony-Anhalt is okay. On the other hand, not at all. That is the situation on Sunday.
Commentary on the current political situation in Saxony-Anhalt by Dirk Kurbjuweit, published on October 11, 2026 by SPIEGEL.
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Weekly column on the political situation by SPIEGEL author Dirk Kurbjuweit.
The situation on Sunday The correct path to disaster
By Dirk Kurbjuweit
On the one hand, what is currently happening in Saxony-Anhalt is okay. On the other hand, not at all. That is the situation on Sunday.
October 11, 2026, 9:17 a.m

The red-green-red demonstrations in Berlin focus on the budget crisis and security. Despite criticism, there was movement after the first day, encouraged by a declaration of anti-Semitism from the left.

The US government is taking antitrust action against TV channels, is planning a publicly broadcast military execution and is coming under international criticism for influence peddling and foreign policy.
Matthias Miersch, head of the SPD parliamentary group, proposes a pension summit involving the parliamentary groups and prime ministers in order to resolve the blockage in the pension reform. He rejects the end of the pension without deductions after 45 years of contributions and expresses confidence in the stability of the federal government. He also names possible SPD candidates for chancellor, demands clarification from the CDU about the election of the AfD state parliament president in Saxony-Anhalt and warns that the greatest threat to democracy currently comes from the right.

An early mayoral runoff election will take place in Krakow between Monika Piatkowska and Lukasz Gibala, triggered by a successful referendum against the previous liberal mayor Miszalski. The election campaign focused on mutual accusations instead of substantive debate, while central city issues such as transport, housing and tourism remained unaddressed.

The average duration of asylum claims proceedings at the BAMF rose to 15.3 months in the first half of 2025, after falling in previous years. In Saxony the waiting time is longest at 20.4 months, while in Rhineland-Palatinate it is only 9.2 months. As of August 15, 196,315 asylum cases were pending nationwide.

Former CSU leader Horst Seehofer accuses Chancellor Friedrich Merz of breaking election promises such as reducing electricity taxes and of losing sight of the financial pressure on citizens. He criticizes Merz's statements about work ethic as hurtful and calls for more speed and less self-employment in the government.