The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Saxony-Anhalt is pushing for a significant expansion of surveillance capabilities, leveraging artificial intelligence and increased video and mobile phone monitoring to preempt potential terrorist attacks. CDU’s leading candidate for the upcoming 2026 state election and current Minister for Economics and Tourism, Sven Schulze, unveiled the ambitious plans, citing the need to adapt to evolving security threats in the wake of last year’s devastating attack on a Magdeburg Christmas market.
Schulze emphasized the potential of AI in data acquisition and video analysis, suggesting that future systems could intelligently identify suspicious behavior and patterns, differentiating between typical visitors and those potentially scoping out locations for malicious purposes. Specific details regarding the implementation of this technology are currently being discussed with the Saxony-Anhalt Interior Minister.
The proposal arrives amidst a challenging political landscape. The CDU, currently led by Reiner Haseloff, is facing considerable pressure from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which leads in current polling with Spitzenkandidat Ulrich Siegmund. Schulze’s candidacy is explicitly positioned as a generational and thematic shift for the CDU, indicating a willingness to revisit established practices and adopt new technologies, particularly in the area of internal security.
However, the announcement has already drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates. Concerns are being raised about the potential for mass surveillance, the erosion of privacy rights and the risk of algorithmic bias leading to misidentification and unjust targeting. Opponents argue that the expansion of monitoring powers, even with benevolent intentions, could normalize intrusive practices and create a chilling effect on freedom of expression and assembly.
The CDU’s justification, framed as a proactive response to heightened security needs, is now subject to intense scrutiny. While the promise of preventing future tragedies is compelling, critics are demanding transparency regarding data collection methods, storage protocols and oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability and prevent abuse of the powerful new surveillance tools proposed. The debate is rapidly becoming a defining issue in the lead-up to the 2026 election, forcing a wider discussion about the balance between security and fundamental rights in Saxony-Anhalt.