Ulrich Siegmund said the AfD could lead Germany’s first state government by November or December after the party’s strong 43.8% showing in Saxony-Anhalt. He described ongoing talks as "constructive" but "very complicated," and said the party is exploring partners — including parliamentary groups or individual lawmakers — to secure a stable five-year government. The comments came while Siegmund campaigned in Neubrandenburg ahead of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern vote, where incumbent Manuela Schwesig (SPD) is mounting a challenge.
AfD Eyes First State Government by Year-End, Says Ulrich Siegmund
FILE PHOTO - Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's top candidate in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, attends the Federal Press Conference on the results of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. (is associated with: «Siegmund expects first AfD-led state government in Germany by year-end») Kay Nietfeld/dpa
About two weeks after the Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt, party figure Ulrich Siegmund outlined a possible timetable for forming the country’s first AfD-led state government.
Speaking on Friday while campaigning in Neubrandenburg ahead of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state vote, Siegmund said he expects a government led by the AfD to be in place "in November or December."
"I assume that in November or December we will have the first AfD-led government anywhere in Germany," Siegmund said, adding that ongoing talks were "very complicated" but also "a lot of constructive talks."
Coalition Talks and Next Steps
Siegmund said the party will continue negotiations in the coming days and weeks to identify partners with whom it can implement the most AfD policies and secure a stable five-year government in Saxony-Anhalt. He did not rule out working with an entire parliamentary group or individual lawmakers.
In Saxony-Anhalt the AfD secured 43.8% of the vote — its strongest state-level result to date — but fell short of an absolute majority, meaning it must still seek partners to govern.
Campaign Momentum in the North-East
Siegmund was speaking at the AfD’s final rally in Neubrandenburg ahead of Sunday’s election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, an area where the party has led opinion polls for months. AfD co-leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel attended, as did Leif-Erik Holm, the party’s lead candidate in the state.
The AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance and far-right positions, is aiming to build on the Saxony-Anhalt result. Its advance comes as incumbent Mecklenburg-Vorpommern premier Manuela Schwesig of the Social Democrats (SPD) seeks to rally centre-left voters and close the gap.
What Happens Next: If coalition negotiations in Saxony-Anhalt produce workable agreements, the AfD could lead a state government by late autumn or early winter. Observers will watch whether potential partners are willing to join or whether the party pursues alternative arrangements, such as support from individual lawmakers.
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