Saxon Minister-President Michael Kretschmer has issued a strong warning regarding the potential ascension of an AfD-led government in Saxony-Anhalt. Addressing the press, Kretschmer criticized the AfD’s platform, calling the proposed policies on education, science, and European politics “regressive”. He specifically singled out the proposed abolition of compulsory schooling as “crazy”. Kretschmer also criticized the AfD’s attack on the churches, accusing them of acting as defenders of “Christian Western civilization” while attempting to strip the churches of their funds.
The concern is heightened by polling data suggesting the possibility of an AfD-led administration, with support figures near 40 percent. Kretschmer emphasized that the identity of the governing party is crucial, noting that this principle applies even to local posts like mayors or district administrators. He added that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), in cooperation with Sven Schulze, is actively working to prevent the AfD from taking power in the region.
In a separate political endorsement, Kretschmer gave indirect support to Manuela Schwesig, the current SPD Minister-President in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. He described her as a “successful and particularly assertive minister-president” and suggested that such strong figures, who are capable of influencing federal policy, should be re-elected.
Finally, Kretschmer firmly dismissed the theory that integrating the AfD into governmental responsibility would “disarm” the party. He argued that the solution to neutralizing the AfD neither lies in granting them power, nor in massive protests, nor in signing oaths of loyalty. Instead, according to the Saxon government head, the best way to defend democracy and the rule of law is by demonstrating that the country’s existing institutions and procedural rules are successfully solving the nation’s problems-a feat he believes is currently lacking in the view of a large segment of the population.