The German weekly Der Spiegel has dubbed Ulrich Siegmund “the most dangerous man in Germany," but if the polls are borne out, within weeks he could become the first AfD far-right politician to head one of Germany’s states since World War II.
Siegmund, who heads the AfD list in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, is leading his party into regional elections scheduled for early September. According to the polls, the AfD enjoys broad support in the state and, under one possible scenario, could lead to the formation of a government headed by Siegmund.
In an unusual cover story, Der Spiegel labeled him “the most dangerous man in Germany," citing his hardline positions against immigrants and minorities and concerns over the growing strength of the far right in Germany. Siegmund himself rejected the criticism, saying that from his perspective it was actually “excellent publicity," and even incorporated the coverage into his election campaign.
The AfD has continued to gain strength in recent years, particularly in eastern Germany, building its support on strong opposition to immigration, European Union policies, and the political establishment in Berlin. The party’s branch in Saxony-Anhalt has been classified by German security authorities as a far-right organization under surveillance.
If Siegmund is indeed elected, it would be an unprecedented political development in post-World War II Germany and would give the AfD its first historic victory in the form of leading one of the country’s federal states.
Germany’s political establishment is already preparing for this possibility, while traditional parties are seeking to prevent him from taking power by forming alternative coalitions. However, as election day approaches, the AfD candidate appears to be gaining momentum and shaking up Germany’s political landscape.