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Right in front: AfD could win German state

September 2, 2026

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5 min read

Right in front: AfD could win German state

In the east German state of Saxony-Anhalt, a tall, blonde 35-year-old named Ulrich Siegmund has been campaigning ahead of a crucial state election on September 6th. At a recent rally in the town of Zerbst, Tom Ruttle, The Economist’s chief Germany correspondent, observed something that looked less like a political event and more like a celebrity meet-and-greet. The day before, Der Spiegel had put Siegmund’s face on its cover, calling him “the most dangerous man in Germany.” Siegmund was delighted. He bought up copies of the magazine that morning, signing them and handing them to fans. “It was one of the most extraordinary political events I’ve ever seen in Germany,” Ruttle said.

Siegmund is the lead candidate for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt. If the party wins, he would become the first right-wing nationalist leader of a German state since the Second World War. The AfD has long been locked out of power at both state and federal levels by a Brandmauer—a “firewall” in which no other mainstream party will work with it or form coalitions. But this election is different: the AfD has a genuine chance of winning a majority of seats in the Saxony-Anhalt parliament on its own.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (01:50) **The Rise of the AFD in Saxony-Anhalt** - Chief Germany correspondent Tom Ruttle introduces the AFD's lead candidate Ulrich Sigmund and the party's unprecedented chance to win a state election.
  • 2 (03:46) **The "Firewall" and the AFD's Radical Agenda** - The "Brandmauer" (firewall) that has kept the AFD out of power might fall if they win a majority, allowing them to pursue a 258-page blueprint for transformation.
  • 3 (06:25) **Can the AFD Actually Govern?** - The correspondent analyzes major obstacles to the AFD implementing its radical program, including a lack of funds and governing experience.
  • 4 (07:45) **Institutional Pushback and the "Laboratory" Fear** - Existing institutions are already planning to contain an AFD government, while local voters express both excitement and a deep fear of being used as a political experiment.
  • 5 (12:08) **Palantir's Controversial Expansion in Britain** - The American tech firm Palantir, known for defense and surveillance, has become deeply embedded in British public services, sparking a new wave of controversy.
  • 6 (14:32) **Why Palantir is a "Lightning Rod"** - The controversy stems from the company's politics, exaggerated claims, and the risk of "vendor lock-in" for critical public services.
  • 7 (17:33) **The Rock and a Hard Place: No British Alternative** - Despite calls to cut ties with Palantir, there are currently no viable domestic alternatives, making it a difficult choice for the government.

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Show Notes

On Sunday, Alternative for Germany could become the first far-right nationalist party to win a state election since the end of the second world war. Is Britain right to worry about Palantir handling government contracts? And could the Chinese learn to love chocolate? 


Guests and host:

  • Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondent
  • Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent
  • Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
  • Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
  • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”


Topics covered: 

  • Germany, AfD, Alternative for Germany, Saxony-Anhalt
  • Palantir, NHS
  • China, chocolate 


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