DW Exclusive: Germany’s far-right AfD vows to 'make history'

The AfD looks set to take power in a German state for the first time. In a DW exclusive, the frontrunner in Saxony-Anhalt, has outlined his plans to detain immigrants, revamp the school system, and relations with Russia. https://p.dw.com/p/5E8p3The AfD's Ulrich Siegmund is confident that he will head the next government in Saxony-AnhaltImage: Michael Taeger/Jan Huebner/IMAGOAdvertisementUlrich Siegmund, the far-right Alternative for Germany party's lead candidate in upcoming regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, has told DW he wants to create a "domino effect" with a "historic" victory. According to the polls, the AfD is on course to win elections in the state in September, and could even govern alone. "There's a real sense of optimism here in Saxony-Anhalt. It's a wonderful feeling. We want nothing more and nothing less than to make history. We're making the first AfD-led government in all of Germany a reality here in Saxony-Anhalt," 35-year-old Siegmund told DW in an interview at the state parliament in Magdeburg. How much of a neo-Nazi party is the German AfD? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Siegmund's branch of the AfD is one of the more controversial in Germany. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution in, the state's domestic intelligence service, the AfD's regiona chapter s "right-wing extremists". They argue that the party pushes a concept of citizenship based on race, which contradicts the German constitution, the Basic Law. Siegmund dismisses the intelligence agency's classification as politically motivated. Yet political opponents and police chiefs warn that an AfD government would present risks to national security, including the sharing of classified information. The AfD, Siegmund insists, is "committed to the rule of law." But many political scientists are skeptical: "I assume that an AfD in government would further establish and professionalize its radicalism," Matthias Quent, from the Institute for Democratic Culture at Magdeburg-Stendal University, told DW. "Especially in Saxony-Anhalt, which has one of the most far-right state branches. There are no forces there that would want a different course." Behind-the-scenes preparations are underway to start scouting potential candidates to fill key roles in a new administration Siegmund said recruitment would follow the civil service rules and said he would not carry out "ideological vetting" of candidates with connections to the white supremacist Identitarian Movement. "For me, the focus is on the individual, and we take a close look at them. If they meet the criteria for the position in question, I will not subject them to ideological vetting, but will instead respect them, their qualifications, and the applicable legal framework," he said. AfD mayoral win offers glimpse of party's local strategy To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video If the far-right AfD were to take power in Saxony-Anhalt following the September elections, Siegmund estimates that up to 200 positions would need to be filled across ministries and state agencies. Asked whether he would adhere to the AfD's own rules — which bar party members from joining certain organizations, including extremist groups — Siegmund drew a distinction between party membership and state appointments. He said, "You're talking about a political party. We're talking about a state government. There are no political guidelines when appointing, for example, a department head — there is a legal framework, and of course, we always adhere to that. What you mean is political cooperation or party membership." Sociologist Matthias Quent, however, expects that, if the AfD comes into government, it would try to install its extremist supporters into the civil service. Siegmund, a former salesman, whose TikTok account is among the most popular political accounts in the country, also outlined his intention to address law enforcement agencies. "Actually, we want to steer the apparatus back onto the path to success, depoliticize it, and make it neutral again — and, above all, serve the interests of the country." Georg Maier, the Interior Minister in neighbouring Thuringia, has called for the implications of an AfD takeover of power to be on the agenda at the next meeting of state interior ministers in June. Maier told DW: "We're seeing that the AfD's strategy is to undermine our liberal democracy from within and destroy it piece by piece." The AfD has promised to get tough on rejected asyslum seekers or migrants whose visas have expired. In contrast to current legislation, the AfD wants all people awaiting deportation to be detained. "Under our government, individuals required to leave the country must, of course, be placed in detention pending deportation," Siegmund said. He wants to set up a deportation task force to enforce those new

DW Exclusive: Germany’s far-right AfD vows to 'make history'

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