As the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt approach, concerns are growing over a potential government participation by the AfD. Dirk Wiese, the First Parliamentary Managing Director of the SPD in the Bundestag, warned in an interview with the magazine “Spiegel” of an “arbitrary restructuring” of the state apparatus should the AfD come to power. “Everyone must be clear about what threatens if the AfD comes to power,” Wiese stated.
Wiese specifically criticized the plans of the AfD’s leading candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, to reappoint numerous civil service positions. “Such an unabashed access to the state apparatus has not been seen in this country since the end of Nazi rule,” Wiese explained. He emphasized that the AfD aims to restructure authorities in favor of its nepotism.
Miersch, the head of the SPD parliamentary group, also expressed concern about the situation. In an interview with news channel WELT TV, he said: “Democracy is under massive pressure, (…) so we all need to be vigilant.” Miersch pointed out that despite current deficiencies, many people around the world would wish to live in Germany.
The AfD plans, among other things, to reduce the number of ministries in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and to implement a hiring freeze for the state administration. Additionally, they aim to lower the property transfer tax and halt the expansion of wind energy. The party has also announced plans to terminate the broadcasting treaty to negotiate far-reaching reforms.
Left party member Dietmar Bartsch sharply criticized the AfD, labeling its views as “megalomaniacal” and “the worst populism.” He expressed confidence that the AfD would not assume governmental responsibility in September. Meanwhile, the Union party prefers not to comment further on the AfD’s considerations, emphasizing the importance of actively preventing the AfD from coming to power.
