Inspired by the huge gains from last week’s parliamentary elections, Germany’s far-right alternative (AFD) is turning its sights on gaining control of regional governments for the first time in next year’s state elections.
AFD State Chairman Martin Reichardt said on Sunday that the party hopes to win 45% of voters in Eastern Saxony-Anhalt state, so it can name the state’s prime minister or top leader.
He said at a state party meeting held in Magdeburg, the national capital, that the purpose was to bring Saxony-Anhalt to the west of Berlin.
German domestic intelligence agencies are monitoring the AFD in Saxony-Anhalt as a confirmed right-wing extremist group.
Reichardt, referring to the party-related colors, said: “Saxony-Anhalt will be the blue beacon for Germany.”
In last week’s national parliamentary elections, the AFD was the highest party in the state, with 37.1% of the votes. Nationally, it ranks second, but it won’t be in the government because other parties refuse to cooperate with it.
