Ulrich Siegmund, lead candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany in Saxony-Anhalt, says he wants a “domino effect” from a historic election win. Polls indicate the AfD could win in September and potentially govern alone. His branch is labeled “right-wing extremists” by the state’s domestic intelligence service, which argues the party promotes a race-based concept of citizenship that conflicts with Germany’s Basic Law. Siegmund rejects the classification as politically motivated and says the AfD is committed to the rule of law. Political opponents and police chiefs warn an AfD government could pose national-security risks, including sharing classified information. Political scientists expect an AfD in government to professionalize and entrench radicalism, especially in a state with a strongly far-right party presence.
"“There's a real sense of optimism here in Saxony-Anhalt. It's a wonderful feeling. We want nothing more and nothing less than to make history. We're making the first AfD-led government in all of Germany a reality here in Saxony-Anhalt,” 35-year-old Siegmund told DW in an interview at the state parliament in Magdeburg."
"The Office for the Protection of the Constitution in, the state's domestic intelligence service, the AfD's regiona chapter s “right-wing extremists”. They argue that the party pushes a concept of citizenship based on race, which contradicts the German constitution, the Basic Law. Siegmund dismisses the intelligence agency's classification as politically motivated."
"“I assume that an AfD in government would further establish and professionalize its radicalism,” Matthias Quent, from the Institute for Democratic Culture at Magdeburg-Stendal University, told DW. “Especially in Saxony-Anhalt, which has one of the most far-right state branches. There are no forces there that would want a different course.”"
"Yet political opponents and police chiefs warn that an AfD government would present risks to national security, including the sharing of classified information. The AfD, Siegmund insists, is “committed to the rule of law.”"
Read at www.dw.com
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