A photo of AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund and CDU faction leader Guido Heuer at a podium discussion has sparked debate on social media just months before the Saxony-Anhalt state election. Heuer explained it was a confrontation, not camaraderie, due to limited microphones.
A photo of AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund and CDU faction leader Guido Heuer at a panel discussion in Halberstadt has caused a stir on social media. Heuer clarified that the image, showing him leaning on Siegmund's shoulder with hands on the same microphone, was a moment of confrontation, not camaraderie, due to Siegmund allegedly speaking untruths. The photo emerged ahead of the September 6th state election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD leads in polls.
Sahra Wagenknecht's new party, BSW, could be kingmaker in Saxony-Anhalt's election for state premier. Wagenknecht stated BSW would abstain from voting on AfD or CDU candidates, potentially allowing the AfD to win with a simple majority in a third round of voting. However, BSW's own parliamentary presence is uncertain.
Saxony's Ministry of Economic Affairs is focusing on strengthening vocational training and qualifications, particularly in the skilled trades. With over 8,000 unfilled apprenticeships and a rising demand for skilled workers, the ministry is investing in modernization and increasing the master craftsman bonus to €3,000 to attract and retain talent.
A far-right politician from the Freie Sachsen party narrowly lost a mayoral election in Aue-Bad Schlema, Germany, sparking concerns about the state of democracy and the rise of extremist movements in the region.
The Kunstfest Weimar, a major contemporary art festival, will include Zeitz in Saxony-Anhalt as a venue for the first time. The program, running from August 21 to September 6, features around 100 events, including theater maker Tanja Krone's performance "Songs of (In)Security" on August 23.
Antisemitic incidents in Saxony-Anhalt surged by one-third in 2025, reaching 270 cases. The RIAS Sachsen-Anhalt report highlights a rise in incidents related to the Middle East conflict and online hate, with over five cases reported weekly.
The Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) party will not elect the AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund as minister president in Saxony-Anhalt, party leader Amira Mohamed Ali clarified. The BSW also rejects the CDU candidate Sven Schulze, advocating instead for a non-partisan minister president governing with shifting majorities.
Sahra Wagenknecht's BSW party is struggling in Saxony-Anhalt, facing declining poll numbers and internal divisions. The party aims to position itself as a peace advocate and critic of current government policies, seeking to influence the upcoming state election.
Ulrich Siegmund, lead candidate for the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, aims for a 'historic' election victory in September, potentially leading Germany's first AfD-led government. Despite the party's regional chapter being labeled 'right-wing extremist,' Siegmund dismisses concerns and plans to fill government roles without 'ideological vetting.'
Ulrich Siegmund, lead candidate for Germany's far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, aims for a "historic" victory in September elections, potentially leading the first AfD government. He dismisses 'extremist' labels and vows to uphold the rule of law, despite concerns from political opponents and scientists.
Ulrich Siegmund, lead candidate for Germany's far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, aims for a "historic" election victory in September, potentially leading the first AfD government. He dismisses "extremist" labels and plans to "de-ideologize" education and overhaul security services.
In Lower Saxony, politically motivated crimes remain at a high level, with 8,309 registered offenses in 2025, only slightly down from 8,312 in 2024. Interior Minister Daniela Behrens warned of increasing radicalization and violence in political discourse, identifying the far-right as the primary threat. While right-wing motivated offenses decreased by 7% to 3,758 cases, they still constitute nearly half of all politically motivated crimes. Left-wing motivated offenses saw a significant 30% increase to 1,598 cases, the highest since 2001. The Bundestag election in 2025 contributed significantly to the overall numbers.
Saxony's Interior Ministry has been revoking and denying firearms licenses to AfD members and supporters under a secret decree issued last July, confirmed by the ministry but kept unpublished as an "internal document." The measure applies to the party's Saxony branch, designated a "confirmed right-wing extremist" organization in December 2023, with a higher court rejecting an appeal in January 2025. An independent lawmaker is leading a parliamentary inquiry into how many licenses have been revoked.
Commemorative events in Beilrode, Germany, marked the 81st anniversary of the historic Elbe linkup between Soviet and US troops, featuring a wreath-laying ceremony at a restored Soviet T-34 tank monument.
