A possible victory by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections, scheduled for September 6, 2026, could negatively affect the region’s economic development by discouraging foreign investors. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made the remarks in his annual summer interview with ARD.
“Serious problems” for the state
“If developments unfold as the polls predict, this federal state will face serious problems. I cannot imagine international investors coming to the groundbreaking ceremony for a new plant or the opening of a new company in Saxony-Anhalt where the state premier is a representative of the AfD,” Merz said.
According to opinion polls, the AfD is leading the state by a wide margin, with around 42% of voters saying they would support the party. At the same time, the chancellor stressed that the final decision remains in the hands of the state’s residents.
Merz’s concerns are also reflected in nationwide trends. According to a YouGov poll conducted from August 14–17, 2026, the AfD is eight percentage points ahead of the CDU/CSU alliance nationwide, at 28% versus 20%. Meanwhile, a court in Saxony-Anhalt has already ruled that membership in the AfD may constitute grounds for refusing to issue a firearms ownership license.
In addition to Saxony-Anhalt, the far right is also seeking victory in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on September 20 and is hoping for a strong result in Berlin — developments that could ultimately become a serious test for Merz’s position within his own party.
Banning the AfD: a “secondary solution”
The chancellor expressed skepticism about the idea of banning the AfD, describing it as “only a last resort.”
“I do not want to dismiss the idea, but I do want to point out that banning a political party in Germany is very, very difficult. The federal government has already failed once in such a case,” Merz noted.
According to him, proceedings before the Federal Constitutional Court could drag on for years.
“I am very uncomfortable with the thought that, for example, we could enter the 2029 Bundestag elections while proceedings to ban the AfD are still unresolved,” he said.
“Banning a political party is always only a secondary solution. Essentially, it is the second-best option. The best solution would be to successfully counter this politically so that such extremism cannot become entrenched in Germany,” the chancellor added.
Response to hybrid threats from russia
In the interview, Merz also announced that Germany would soon respond to hybrid threats from russia, saying that the federal government had already reached a “broad consensus” on the future response. The position is expected to be coordinated with Germany’s NATO and European Union partners.
The statement came nearly a month after an incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where a drone carrying explosives was discovered in a restricted area near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft. At the time, Merz promised that those responsible for the incident would be held accountable.