After the recent election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany's political landscape in the eastern state remains unsettled. The AfD has expressed its intention to govern but currently lacks the parliamentary majority needed to do so. CDU parliamentary group leader Schulze has publicly and firmly stated that no CDU member will cross the floor to support the AfD — particularly in the crucial vote to elect a Minister-President. For immigrants and expats living in Germany, this kind of political development matters: the AfD is widely known for its hardline stance on immigration, and whether or not it gains governing power — even at the state level — can signal shifts in the broader political climate.
Following the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD emerged hoping to take a role in government. However, the party has been unable to secure the majority of seats needed to form a ruling coalition or win the Minister-President election on its own. The AfD's strategy apparently depended on winning over votes from other parties — including the CDU — to reach that threshold.
CDU parliamentary group leader Schulze appeared on the political programme Bericht aus Berlin and made the CDU's position clear: no CDU representative will switch their vote to support the AfD. This so-called "firewall" between the CDU and the AfD has been a recurring feature of German federal and state politics, though it has faced repeated pressure in recent years.
For people living in Germany on a residence permit, work visa, or going through the Einbürgerung process, state-level politics can have a real impact. While immigration law is largely governed at the federal level, state governments influence how strictly rules are applied, how Ausländerbehörde offices are resourced, and what tone is set around integration policy.
The AfD has consistently advocated for significantly reduced immigration, tougher enforcement of deportations, and the rollback of several protections for foreign nationals. A state government that includes or is supported by the AfD could, in practice, lead to a more restrictive administrative environment for immigrants — even if the legal framework itself remains federal.
The CDU's refusal to cooperate with the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt is therefore a meaningful data point for anyone tracking how far right-wing populist parties are from actual governing power in Germany.
The question of whether mainstream conservative parties will maintain their distance from the AfD is one of the defining tensions in German politics right now. The CDU has officially maintained this boundary, but the pressure has grown as the AfD has posted strong results in several eastern German states.
Saxony-Anhalt's situation reflects a wider pattern: the AfD wins enough votes to be a major force in parliament but struggles to convert that into governing power because other parties decline to work with it. How long that holds — and whether it holds equally at every level of government — is something expats and immigrants are understandably watching closely.
Residence permits and visas are governed primarily by federal law, so a change in state government does not automatically change your legal status. However, state governments do influence how local Ausländerbehörde offices operate, how integration programmes are funded, and what political priorities are emphasised. If you have concerns about your specific situation, consulting a qualified immigration lawyer or contacting your local Ausländerbehörde is always advisable.
The CDU has maintained what is often described as a "firewall" — a formal commitment not to form coalitions or governing arrangements with the AfD at any level of government. CDU leader Schulze's statement in Saxony-Anhalt reaffirms this position, at least for now.
The political deadlock in Saxony-Anhalt is unlikely to be resolved quickly, and its outcome will be watched carefully by observers across Germany. For expats and immigrants, the key takeaway is that the AfD remains blocked from governing power in this state — at least for now — due to the CDU's refusal to cooperate. Staying informed about state-level elections and coalition negotiations is a practical way to understand the political environment you are living in. If you are concerned about how political developments might affect your residency or integration process, speaking with a qualified immigration adviser is the most reliable next step.
Source: tagesschau
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