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Saxony-Anhalt election: AfD leads in polls amid political debate
As the Saxony-Anhalt state election approaches on September 6, 2026, polling indicates the AfD is the clear frontrunner with approximately 42% support. This has sparked intense political debate regarding potential government formations.
AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund has made controversial claims regarding social spending, asserting that over 20 billion euros in Bürgergeld payments are distributed to non-German citizens. A fact check by MDR confirmed that in the 2025 fiscal year, non-German citizens received approximately 21.7 billion euros of the 46.65 billion euros total disbursed, though it noted that nearly equal amounts were paid to German citizens.
In response to the AfD's lead, Bodo Ramelow has called for a cooperation between the CDU and Die Linke to prevent an AfD administration. However, the CDU leadership has rejected such a coalition. Additionally, Siegmund has stated he will not accept the role of Minister President if it requires an abstention from the BSW party to achieve a majority, emphasizing his need for a stable parliamentary mandate.
Entities
AfD · Bodo Ramelow · CDU · Die Linke · Sachsen-Anhalt · Sven Schulze · Ulrich Siegmund
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund claimed over 20 billion euros in Bürgergeld payments go to non-German citizens. www.fehmarn24.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.kreiszeitung.de · www.tz.de
- [DISPUTED] The AfD leads polling in Saxony-Anhalt with 42% of the vote. tkp.at · ultimosegundo.ig.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] Ulrich Siegmund stated he would not accept becoming Minister President through an abstention by the BSW party. www.berlinstory.de · www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Polling shows the AfD as the clear favorite for the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt state election. ultimosegundo.ig.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] In the 2025 fiscal year, non-German citizens accounted for approximately 21.7 billion euros of the 46.65 billion euros in Bürgergeld paid out. www.fehmarn24.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.kreiszeitung.de · www.tz.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Bodo Ramelow recommended a cooperation between the CDU and Die Linke to prevent an AfD government in Saxony-Anhalt. www.tagesschau.de · www.mannheim24.de