‘I fear the price could be high’: Inside the German state where the far-right surged
After the AfD’s landslide win in Saxony-Anhalt, people in the state capital share what they make of the result – and what comes next
TL;DR
- The AfD, classified as 'rightwing extremist' by domestic intelligence, won 44% in Saxony-Anhalt's state elections.
- Residents in Magdeburg shared diverse reactions, including heartbreak, fear, and hesitant hope.
- The AfD's manifesto includes challenging post-war memory culture and deporting 'irregular migrants'.
- The election result raises questions about the 'firewall' preventing cooperation between mainstream parties and the AfD.
- The outcome is expected to lead to weeks of political wrangling and potential stasis, with further elections approaching.
- Some residents, like Doreen, expressed support for the AfD, blaming Merkel's policies for current issues and citing a terrorist attack as a consequence of open-door migration.