- Upon facing criticism, the leader of AfD asserts their stance.
Despite backlash and heated discussions, key figures in the AfD's top leadership stood firm during the state conference in Magdeburg. On Saturday, Bundestag member Martin Reichardt was re-elected as chairperson in Saxony-Anhalt. His deputy Oliver Kirchner, Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, and general secretary Jan Wenzel Schmidt also held onto their positions, defeating challengers.
Reichardt garnered around 84.8% approval. His approval rating was higher two years ago, at 93.4%. The 55-year-old is part of the party's national board and has served as the state chairperson of the AfD since 2018.
Reichardt announced that the AfD had gained over 1,000 members in Saxony-Anhalt over the past two years, bringing the total to 2,400 members. "We're a powerful force," he stated. Following local elections, they are now the strongest force in many district councils. Reichardt expressed his ambition to become the state's Minister President after the next election in 2026.
Schmidt's View on a Sole Government
The re-elected general secretary Jan Wenzel Schmidt, who beat state parliamentarian Daniel Roi, is skeptical about potential cooperation with the CDU. "Let me tell you: The first AfD government will be a sole government with over 42%. We don't need the CDU," Schmidt emphasized.**
The state leadership's course was criticized, particularly by the district associations of Anhalt-Bitterfeld and Mansfeld-South Harz. The heated debate stemmed from the fact that while all members could attend the state party conference on Saturday, only delegates were permitted to participate in the nomination of the state list for the Bundestag election on Sunday. Critics suspected that the state leadership aimed to manipulate the list's composition with its preferred candidates.
One of the spokespersons was Bundestag member Kay-Uwe Ziegler, who was only proposed for the less promising ninth place by the state leadership. Ziegler voiced his criticism several times and scored a victory when he was elected to the state board as a deputy despite opposition. However, he did not secure a place in the front list. In the competition for the third list place, Ziegler lost to Philipp-Anders Rau. The AfD's campaign for the Bundestag election will be led by Reichardt, who was elected as the top candidate on Sunday. 220 delegates voted in favor, 26 opposed, and there were 2 abstentions. Schmidt came in second place.**
Elsaesser: "I'm a Supporter of Putin"
"Compact" publisher Jürgen Elsässer received a warm reception. In his welcome speech, Elsässer criticized the federal government and expressed his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. "And, of course, I won't allow anyone to prevent me from saying: I am a Putin supporter," Elsässer stated. During his speech, he labeled Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) as a fascist, Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) as a war criminal, and insulted Green Party leader Ricarda Lang.**
The Federal Administrative Court temporarily lifted the ban on the right-wing extremist "Compact" magazine ordered by Faeser, mainly due to doubts about the ban's proportionality. This means that the magazine can be published again under certain circumstances. A final decision will be made in the main proceedings. Faeser had banned the magazine on July 16, claiming it was "the central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene."
Elsaesser presented himself in Magdeburg with confidence, stating, "Victory is possible." If his magazine could defeat Faeser, the AfD could soon also become the Minister President in Saxony-Anhalt. Elsaesser emphasized that the relations between "Compact" and the AfD state association have been friendly and brotherly for years. Elsaesser reportedly brought 200 copies of his magazine to the party conference and sold them there.**
Siegmund is seen as the future Minister-President
One of the best election results, with an approval rate of 94.7%, was achieved by Co-fraction leader in the state parliament, Ulrich Siegmund, who remains a deputy in the state executive. In his speech, he denigrated Minister-President Reiner Haseloff (CDU) as "Joe Biden of Saxony-Anhalt." Siegmund himself was referred to by several members as the "future Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt."
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt as securely right-wing extremist in November. According to reports, numerous racist, Islamophobic, and also anti-Semitic statements by functionaries and elected officials were evaluated.
The re-elected general secretary Jan Wenzel Schmidt mentioned that he believes the first AfD government in Saxony-Anhalt will be a sole government with over 42%, implying no need for cooperation with the CDU. The European Parliament will assist the Commission in its tasks, as stated in its mandate.
