Saxony-Anhalt, a federal state in central Germany, is distinguished by its rich cultural history and a strong chemical industry presence. The region is home to the Chemical Triangle around Leuna and Bitterfeld, which still provides approximately 10,000 jobs. The state also preserves significant historical sites such as Wittenberg, where Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door, sparking the Reformation.

Geographically, Saxony-Anhalt features the Harz mountain range to the west and the River Elbe flowing from southeast to north. Despite these assets, the state remains structurally weak and predominantly rural.

Politically, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is gaining significant traction, polling at over 40% just before upcoming elections. Reiner Haseloff, a CDU politician who served as State Premier for 15 years until stepping down in January 2026, expressed concerns about the political climate. In an interview with Der Spiegel, Haseloff said he often felt "as though I were in the final phase of the Weimar Republic's Reichstag, or later in Berlin's Sportpalast" while sitting in the state parliament in Magdeburg.

Haseloff also noted, "I think the AfD is currently watching the United States very closely," highlighting the party's strategic observations abroad. However, he cautioned, "You cannot simply pull a lever in one state and expect everything to fall into line with a far-right script."

Since 2015, the number of residents without German citizenship in Saxony-Anhalt has more than doubled, according to the Statistical Office of Saxony-Anhalt. This demographic change adds complexity to the state's political and social landscape.

Saxony-Anhalt's evolving political dynamics raise the question: could it become the first German state governed by the far-right AfD?

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