Charismatic Ulrich Siegmund Boosts AfD to Near-Majority in Saxony-Anhalt Election

Ulrich Siegmund, a charismatic 35-year-old former CDU member, became the public face of the Alternative for Germany in the Saxony-Anhalt regional election, propelling the party to its best performance ever in the state. Campaign materials displayed his image everywhere under the motto “everything is possible,” and supporters queued for selfies and rides on vintage Simson mopeds, a nod to East-German nostalgia. Despite the AfD’s hard-line pro-Russian and anti-immigration platform, Siegmund steered clear of overtly extremist language, positioning himself as a relatable, smiling figure.

Nevertheless, he was present at a 2023 Potsdam meeting that featured an Identitarian Movement leader advocating mass deportations, prompting accusations of extremist associations. After the vote, the AfD secured a large bloc of seats but lacked a majority, leaving it to negotiate a coalition while refusing to abandon its core positions. The outcome marks the first attempt to establish a far-right state government in Germany since the Second World War, sparking debate over the party’s growing influence.