Right before pivotal elections in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, a debate program hosted by state broadcaster MDR showcased the massive propaganda being unleashed against the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The lead candidate for the AfD in the state, Ulrich Siegmund, not only faced seven other candidates all setting their sights on him, but also an audience and question panel hostile at every level to the AfD. In fact, at least one audience member has been identified as a politician running for the far-left Social Democrats (SPD) and another tied to the Left Party.
With the AfD potentially scoring an absolute majority in the state, all stops are being pulled out to keep the party out of power. The AfD must win an absolute majority or it will almost certainly be kept from power, with only the BSW signaling they may allow Siegmund to be elected president of the state if push comes to shove. Currently, the party is polling at 42 percent, which means just a few points will make all the difference.
As Welt notes in a piece entitled “Everyone against the AfD,” the entire MDR debate became a farce, noting that the audience members chosen to direct questions to the candidates appeared carefully selected by the state broadcaster.
“Nineteen people then had the opportunity to do so on the program, including several pensioners, students, teachers, local politicians, a queer activist, and a refugee from Syria. People who had little or no opportunity to speak: people who stand on the assembly line, on the construction site or in the shop every day, skilled workers, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, creatives,” wrote Welt.
Now, it is being reported that the audience member who said he fears attacks from right-wing extremists is tied to the Left Party.
Der in der MDR #Wahlarena zur Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt interviewte Studiogast, der Angst hat, dass ihm AFD-ler auf der Straße auflauern, ist bei Die Linke. #OerrBlog pic.twitter.com/GweKTR9NM3
— ÖRR Blog. (@OERRBlog) August 13, 2026On top of that, the teacher who delivered a question also turned out to be a candidate for the Social Democrats (SPD).
Die in der MDR #Wahlarena zur Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt interviewte Lehrerin aus dem Publikum kandidierte für die SPD. #OerrBlog pic.twitter.com/hcbH1vyxnm
— ÖRR Blog. (@OERRBlog) August 13, 2026In addition, the hosts’ questions themselves were also carefully selected to avoid the topics most damaging to the ruling parties and the status quo. While the MDR claimed that the questions represented “the diversity of topics and perspectives in Saxony-Anhalt,” the reality was quite different.
“The discussion then turned to the CDU’s firewall against the AfD and the Left Party, to cutting funds for promoting democracy and inclusion in the labor market. Regarding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, equal opportunities in education regardless of home, and the protection of young, foreign, left-wing, and queer people. Or about the danger that Germany will become a dictatorship (from the right), the lack of will (of the West) to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine through diplomacy, or the guardianship key in daycare centers.”
Welt notes that key questions were completely omitted, arguably the questions that matter most to Germans.
“The following were not addressed, or hardly addressed: the rising cost of living, affordable energy, the use of countless billions to maintain and expand infrastructure, massive job losses, and countless company bankruptcies. It wasn’t about the wave of tax increases, the botched or stalled reforms to pensions, income tax, or long-term care,” wrote Welt.
Christian Democrat (CDU) Prime Minister Sven Schulze was also among the candidates fielding questions, and even for him, the main focus of questioning appeared to relate to the AfD.
He was repeatedly asked whether he would cooperate with the AfD, until he finally stated, “I do not intend to cooperate with the AfD.“
Given that the party will almost certainly be the most powerful political force in the state, a CDU firewall will prove costly, as it will force the party to form alliances with a number of left-wing parties to remain in power.
As for the AfD’s candidate, Welt writes: “In contrast, AfD member Siegmund is a permanent presence (during the debate). However, he must also defend himself against all sides, both against the politicians on the podium and against most of the questioners. He does this with increasing irritation as the program progresses. His concept against the financial weakness of municipalities: ‘Every euro we give away in the world is missing from the federal government, states and municipalities.’ Without aid for Ukraine, there would be enough money for the municipalities.”
