“We have a strong constitution, we have all the tools to defend the constitution against a right-wing radical state government, but we have a tectonic shock in our party system,” Merz is quoted as saying. "This shakes our party to its foundations. We cannot go back to the agenda, not even me, not even the federal government." Merz called on the CDU to show unity, reports “Bild”. He once again ruled out working with the AfD.
The BSW's top candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, Thomas Schulze, explains the possibilities of cooperation with the AfD on content. "The first thing we want to do when we get into the state parliament is to end the Russia sanctions. We certainly can't do that from here. This is a federal issue. But we can push it from here," he told WELT TV. "We will campaign for that. And that's what the AfD has always told the people here." But they “don’t want to talk about a coalition with the AfD at the moment,” said Schulze. "We have always said: We will not enter into a coalition. We want to form a constructive opposition. But we have also always said: If we can change things in this country, then we will do it. How we do it will certainly be what the next few hours and days will bring." A CDU man at the top would not be an option for Thomas Schulze: "I can't imagine that. The CDU was voted out yesterday here in Saxony-Anhalt. Not only here in the state, but that is a very clear sign in the federal government too that Mr. Merz has his last days ahead of him."
After the AfD election victory in Saxony-Anhalt, the chairman of the Conference of Interior Ministers is calling for the security authorities to be protected against extremist influence. “State power and thus control over security authorities in the hands of an anti-constitutional party with close contacts to Russia is a serious security risk,” said Hamburg’s Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD) to the RND. “As Interior Minister, it is our responsibility to protect the common security authority structures in Germany against extremist influence of all kinds,” added the Social Democrat. “As a conference of interior ministers, we must now live up to this responsibility.”
Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx calls for action for human dignity after the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. “This election result for a right-wing extremist party is terrible and depressing - but it is not the last word!” said the Archbishop of Munich and Freising to the newspapers “Münchner Merkur” and “tz”. The cardinal added: "It is important that the vast majority in our country now openly and actively stand up for freedom, democracy and the rule of law. It is up to us to fight for human dignity, respect and tolerance, to speak out loudly and audibly, and to resist when our convictions are threatened."
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) sees a government mandate for the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt. During his speech at the folk festival in Gillamoos, he said: “The AfD has been given a task there, let’s wait and see what they do with it.” He gives the other parties some advice: "Don't try by hook or by crook to somehow organize a half-vote majority using all tricks and possibilities. They should show whether they can govern, I have doubts about that."
Sunday’s result was “not an election for Saxony-Anhalt”. Above all, it is an “anti-election”. “The biggest possible reminder that there has been in the last 50 years. Also towards Berlin,” he explains. The AfD now needs to be substantiated. He says: "I am firmly convinced that the AfD has no concept of leading our country out of crises. And in the end the country is worse off than ever before."
“An intact family consisting of mother, father and children is proven to be the best prerequisite for good and healthy child development” - a journalist asked Siegmund about this quote from the AfD government program and referred to the lifestyle of AfD leader Alice Weidel, who lives with her partner and adopted children. Siegmund denied an inner contradiction. It's about establishing what is “optimal” for children. There are also children in homes, but it is better to grow up in a family. “But we are a party of freedom, with us everyone can develop freely,” added Siegmund. Weidel jumped in with Siegmund: “This is about the social goal,” she said. Everyone has their freedoms, but the question is: “What is the goal of supporting the state?” Its task is to “always support where children are”.
AfD election winner Siegmund wants to enforce his “basic positions” for a state government. For him, the condition for cooperation with individual parliamentary groups or individual MPs is that they can agree on “the fundamental questions of our time”. There is no need to agree on the obligation to castrate cats. But on “migration, internal security, energy policy” and the “necessary termination of the media state treaty”. That's what he was elected for. The termination of state broadcasting contracts is the top priority of the AfD's 100-day program. The MDR state treaty, which regulates the joint broadcasting of Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Thuringia, would be of particular importance for Saxony-Anhalt.
