AfD Sachsen-Anhalt Sets Ambitious Goals for State Election Amid Internal Discord

The party aims to secure 45% of the vote and form the first AfD-led state government, but leadership disputes cast a shadow over its plans.

The AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt has announced plans to win all direct mandates, achieve 45% of the vote, and appoint the state's Minister-President in the upcoming 2026 state election.
The party's strong performance in the recent Bundestag election, where it won all direct mandates and 37.1% of the second votes in Sachsen-Anhalt, has boosted its confidence.
The Landesverband of the AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt is classified as 'secured right-wing extremist' by the Verfassungsschutz (Germany's domestic intelligence agency).
Internal disputes overshadowed the party's recent state convention, with two key officials, Jan Wenzel Schmidt and Kay-Uwe Ziegler, facing allegations of manipulative conduct and losing their leadership roles.
The party adopted a new preamble to its charter, emphasizing its identity as a 'democratic, freedom-oriented, and patriotic people's party,' while continuing to criticize national political leaders.