Election campaign unfolds in 2026, devoid of Haseloff's era extension
The political landscape in Saxony-Anhalt is gearing up for an intense competition as the state prepares for its election on September 6, 2026. The current ruling party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is in a transitional phase, with Sven Schulze taking over as the lead candidate from Reiner Haseloff, who has announced his retirement after leading various coalition governments since 2011.
Haseloff's departure leaves a significant void, as he has been a "bulwark against the right" and a strong critic of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is aiming to seize power in the state. The AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by the Saxony-Anhalt constitutional protection office, is led locally by Ulrich Siegmund and has been sharply criticized by Haseloff in political exchanges.
Despite Haseloff's criticism, the AfD has been successful in social networks, outpacing other parties in the number of published posts. However, in the 2021 state election, the CDU, with Haseloff at the helm, achieved an unexpectedly clear victory over the AfD. Polling data from mid-2025 indicate that the CDU, under national leader Friedrich Merz, is the favourite with around 30% voter support, while the AfD follows with approximately 20%, positioning the AfD as a strong opposition force in the state.
The CDU currently governs in coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Free Democrats (FDP). The Greens, while emphasizing their role as a democratic firewall against the far-right AfD, currently play a less dominant role in this particular contest.
Sven Schulze, the CDU's state leader and Minister for Economic Affairs, has managed conflicts with farmers and appeased them as a minister. He has also been known for prioritising personal connections over social media followers in political campaigns. The planned settlement of chip manufacturer Intel, however, saw the State Chancellery taking the lead in economic policy.
In the federal election in February, the situation has since reversed, with the AfD clearly distancing the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt. Schulze, nevertheless, is not deterred and plans to increase his activity on the internet to engage with voters. He values his experience and is expected to move into the state chancellery after the election.
The political battle in Saxony-Anhalt promises to be closely watched as the two major parties, CDU and AfD, vie for power. The outcome of the election could bring about significant shifts in the political landscape of the state.
- The migration policies and legislations in Saxony-Anhalt could see significant changes following the upcoming election, with the AfD, known for their strong stance on immigration, aiming to seize power.
- War-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and general-news outlets have been covering the escalating political tensions in Saxony-Anhalt, as the state gears up for its election on September 6, 2026.
- In addition to politics, other pressing issues in Saxony-Anhalt include car-accidents, fires, and economic policies, such as the recent Intel settlement, which saw the State Chancellery take the lead.
- While the CDU, under the leadership of Sven Schulze, is currently favored to win the election, with around 30% voter support, the AfD, with approximately 20%, remains a strong opposition force, as demonstrated in the 2021 state election.
- Despite the recent surge in the AfD's popularity in the federal election in February, the CDU's state leader, Sven Schulze, is not deterred and plans to increase his internet engagement to connect with voters, leveraging his experience as a key advantage in the election.
