- 3d ago
Sven Schulze and Ulrich Siegmund Clash on Migration and Economy in Saxony-Anhalt Debate
Saxony-Anhalt Minister-President Sven Schulze and AfD challenger Ulrich Siegmund faced off in a live debate on Wednesday, clashing over deportations, labour shortages, and state administration ahead of Sunday's election.
- 6d ago
Poll gives AfD 40% lead ahead of Saxony-Anhalt regional election
A ZDF Politbarometer poll places the AfD at 40% ahead of the 6 September regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, seventeen points clear of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU.
- 6d ago
AfD leads polls ahead of Saxony-Anhalt election as rivals weigh minority coalition options
Polls ahead of the 6 September vote in Saxony-Anhalt place the AfD around 40% and the CDU at 23%, setting up complex negotiations over potential minority rule in Magdeburg.
- Aug 27
RKI estimates 15,800 heat deaths in Germany through mid-August 2026
A Robert Koch Institute report attributes 15,800 fatalities between April and mid-August to extreme temperatures, with peaks in late June and early August hitting older demographics hardest.
- Aug 25
German cabinet sets autumn timetable for pension and tax reforms at retreat
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his ministers concluded a two-day retreat in Brandenburg, committing to pass two-part pension legislation and tax reforms before the end of 2026.
- Aug 24
AfD leader Alice Weidel outlines plans to exit Schengen, drop euro, and expel Syrian refugees
In a ZDF television interview, Alternative for Germany co-leader Alice Weidel proposed closing national borders, leaving the eurozone, and repatriating 1.3 million Syrian refugees if her party takes power.
- Aug 24
Average stay in Saxony-Anhalt women's shelters rises to 69 days as housing shortages persist
Women fleeing domestic violence in Saxony-Anhalt spent an average of 69 days in protection facilities in 2025, up from 67 days in 2024, as tight housing markets and administrative delays slowed their transition to independent homes.
- Aug 23
AfD leaders demand abolition of mail voting and dismiss climate change before state elections
Ahead of the 6 September vote in Saxony-Anhalt, AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla called for ending mail-in ballots and dismissed climate warnings despite over 14,000 heat deaths in Germany.
- Aug 22
SC Magdeburg defeats Füchse Berlin 38:31 to secure first Supercup under Bennet Wiegert
German handball champions SC Magdeburg ended a 25-year Supercup title drought with a 38:31 victory over Füchse Berlin in Munich, while HSG Blomberg-Lippe won the women's trophy.
- Aug 22
Bremen steps up police security as 30,000 gather for pride parade following Berlin attack
Bremen police are adjusting operational concepts as up to 30,000 participants and 50 groups march through the city centre alongside a DFB-Pokal football fixture and an evening concert.
- Aug 21
AfD builds training academy and staff roster ahead of Saxony-Anhalt election
Alternative for Germany has created an administrative academy and a 185,000-euro working group to supply qualified civil servants if it enters state government in September.
- Aug 20
German CDU mayor donates €10,000 to AfD and demands end to conservative firewall
Bernd Prange, a CDU mayor in Saxony-Anhalt, donated €10,000 to the AfD and endorsed the party ahead of the September 6 state election, prompting expulsion calls and national political blowback.
- Aug 18
Germany opens Cochstedt drone defense center following Leipzig airport threat
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt inaugurated a new testing center for counter-drone technologies in Saxony-Anhalt following the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle airport.
- Aug 17
Thuringia coalition holds as BSW state branch resists federal demand to oust Voigt
Thuringia's three-party government reaffirmed its stability after 13 of 15 BSW state lawmakers rejected a federal executive demand to break with CDU Premier Mario Voigt, planning a special party congress to address the dispute.
- Aug 16
Wagenknecht dares Höcke to live debate after his offer to elect her as Thuringian Minister President
BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht has publicly challenged Thuringian AfD leader Björn Höcke to a live debate, days after Höcke offered AfD votes to elect her as Minister President of Thuringia.
- Aug 15
Saxony-Anhalt schools face 375 million euro funding demand against 83.9 million available
Schools in Saxony-Anhalt face a sharp funding gap as the new school year begins: 125 projects requesting about 375 million euros compete for 83.9 million euros in available federal funds, while districts peg broader infrastructure needs at 4 billion euros.
- Aug 15
Campact launches 620,000-euro campaign to block AfD majority in Saxony-Anhalt election
The advocacy group Campact has launched a 620,000-euro campaign urging voters in Saxony-Anhalt to back the SPD or Greens strategically, aiming to prevent the AfD from winning an absolute majority in the September 6 state election.
- Aug 13
BSW federal board demands Thuringian minister president Voigt resign over revoked doctorate
The BSW federal board has demanded the immediate resignation of Thuringian Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU) over his revoked doctorate, but the party's own state branch is resisting the call while the AfD's Björn Höcke pushes for an independent replacement.
- Aug 13
19-year-old Liebmann wins 800m freestyle gold with European record at swimming EM in Paris
Johannes Liebmann became the first German swimmer to win a European title over 800m freestyle, lowering his own European record to 7:37.59 at the European Swimming Championships in Paris, with Sven Schwarz completing a German one-two.
- Aug 11
AfD at 40% in Saxony-Anhalt debate as von Angern refuses Siegmund's handshake, BSW hovers as kingmaker
Seven lead candidates clashed in MDR's Wahlarena on August 12, with the AfD polling above 40 percent and its candidate Ulrich Siegmund seeking an absolute majority, while the BSW positioned itself as a potential kingmaker.
