AFD’s Surge in Saxony-Anhalt Prompts Critical Debate on Democratic Resilience; MEPs Analyze Political Upheaval
On Sunday, Saxony-Anhalt could become the centre of a political earthquake. The AfD party is polling at more than 40 percent, far ahead of Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats (CDU).
Such a strong result could give the far right a path to governing a German state for the first time since World War II. That would shatter one of the most important political taboos in modern Germany — and send a powerful signal to Europe.
A stronger AfD would mean a tougher battle over migration, climate policy and support for Ukraine — and potentially a more difficult Germany for the EU to rely on at a time when Europe is already facing enormous geopolitical pressure.
So, is Saxony-Anhalt simply expressing frustration with the political establishment? Or are we about to witness a turning point for Germany — and potentially for Europe? And who is to blame?
These are the core questions of this edition of The Ring, featuring two members of the European Parliament: Hildegard Bentele, a German MEP from the centre‑right European People’s Party (EPP), and Jean‑Marc Germain, a French MEP from the Socialists & Democrats.
In the European Parliament, Bentele serves as Vice‑Chair of the Committee on Development and a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. She also chairs the Delegation for relations with Israel.
“As Christian‑Democrats, we are convinced that the only way to counter the rise of the far‑right in Saxony‑Anhalt, in Germany and across Europe is listening closely to people, offering realistic solutions and presenting—based on our values—an optimistic vision for the future.”
Germain, an economist, previously advised former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and is one of the leading figures within the Socialists & Democrats Group (S&D) in the European Parliament, where he leads on budgetary issues.
“As long as Europe fails to build economic sovereignty, the far right will thrive in the regions devastated by globalisation and de‑industrialisation.”
The Ring is presented by Stefan Grobe, produced by Luis Albertos Altarejos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.
