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Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD candidate in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, accused the federal domestic intelligence service on Thursday of operating under political direction by the ruling conservatives and using its powers to spy on political opponents. Speaking at a pre-election gathering in Magdeburg, Siegmund said the Office for the Protection of the Constitution - known by its German acronym BfV - was being "misused to crack down on the opposition in this country" and should return to what he described as its core remit.
What was said
At the event, Siegmund insisted that "Our stated aim is to ensure that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Saxony-Anhalt returns to its core remit, rather than focusing on monitoring the opposition." He accused the agency of being "politically directed" by the ruling conservatives to spy on political opponents, framing his remarks as part of a wider critique of state institutions.
Mandate of the BfV
The BfV formally reports to the interior ministry but, under German law, is required to act with political neutrality and is authorised only to monitor activity judged to represent a threat to the constitutional order. The interior ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Siegmund's accusations.
Designation and response
The local branch of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt has been designated as "far-right extremist" by the Saxony-Anhalt office of the security service. Party leaders reject that designation and view it as part of a broader effort by mainstream parties to discredit them. Quoting the most recent BfV report, officials note that the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt holds "fundamentally racist" positions and "seeks to bring the German democratic system, as well as its representatives and institutions, into disrepute."
Martin Reichardt, the AfD's state chairman, described the security service's characterisation as what he called "Orwellian Newspeak," accusing what he termed "the establishment" of trying "to protect democracy, as it were, from the will of the voters."
Campaigning and ambitions
Siegmund has been travelling across Saxony-Anhalt hosting so-called "citizen dialogue" meetings in smaller towns that have drawn hundreds of prospective voters. He framed the state election as more than a regional contest, saying: "It’s not just about Saxony-Anhalt for us; it’s about Germany – we love Germany. That’s why the blue wave must sweep across the whole country, starting from Saxony-Anhalt," referencing the party's colour.
The AfD has established a commanding lead over the ruling conservative Christian Democrats in the state and is targeting an absolute majority that would allow it to secure its first-ever state premier.
Mainstream reaction and stakes
For mainstream parties, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats who have ruled out cooperation with the AfD, a victory for the far-right in Saxony-Anhalt would pose a significant test to Germany's constitutional order. The article notes that the security services have long identified far-right extremism as a potential threat to public order, alongside other challenges such as Islamist and far-left violence.
Mario Karschunke, general secretary of the Christian Democrats in Saxony-Anhalt, characterised the upcoming vote as a pivotal moment: "In my view, this is indeed a decisive election. It’s a choice between centrist democracy and extremism," he said. "It is quite simply about democracy in the Federal Republic of Germany."
Contextual note
The September 6 state election in Saxony-Anhalt has therefore become closely watched, with tensions over the mandate and use of security services surfacing as a central theme in the campaign. State governments in Germany have extensive powers in areas related to internal security, and the debate over the BfV's role underscores friction between elected political forces and institutions charged with protecting the constitutional order.
Reporting in this article is based on statements and official characterisations presented during the campaign and in the most recent security service report.