For expats and immigrants living in Germany, the name Ulrich Siegmund may not yet be familiar — but it is worth knowing. As the AfD's lead candidate in the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt state election, Siegmund is polling strongly and has been described by critics as "the most dangerous man in Germany." Understanding the rise of AfD hardliners like Siegmund matters not just as political news, but as practical context for anyone whose life in Germany is shaped by immigration law, social climate, and political direction. This article is a factual explainer — not a political opinion piece — to help you understand who he is and what his prominence means.
Ulrich Siegmund is a politician from the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, currently serving in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament (Landtag). He is the party's lead candidate (Spitzenkandidat) for the Saxony-Anhalt state election.
Siegmund has cultivated a carefully crafted public image: media-savvy, personable, and approachable. Unlike some far-right politicians who project aggression, Siegmund is noted for his relaxed communication style and ability to reach audiences beyond traditional AfD voters — including via social media platforms popular with younger people.
Despite this accessible image, his political positions place him firmly on the hardline wing of a party that is already classified as a proven right-wing extremist organisation (gesichert rechtsextremistisch) by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Verfassungsschutz, in Saxony-Anhalt specifically.
The AfD's political platform includes, among other things, strict opposition to immigration, calls for mass deportations, and a rollback of multicultural policies. The party has been vocal about reversing Germany's pathway to citizenship reforms and tightening or eliminating pathways to permanent residency for non-EU nationals.
For expats and immigrants, this political direction is relevant in several concrete ways:
It is important to note: state election results in Saxony-Anhalt do not directly change national law. However, strong AfD performances in regional elections influence the national political debate and can shift policy positions of mainstream parties.
Siegmund and the AfD are polling strongly in Saxony-Anhalt ahead of the election. The AfD has consistently been one of the top two parties in polls in the eastern German state. However, all other major parties currently maintain a so-called "firewall" (Brandmauer) — a stated refusal to form coalition governments with the AfD. This means that even a strong electoral result for the AfD would not automatically translate into governing power in the state.
That said, a strong performance reinforces the AfD's national profile and emboldens hardline positions within the party and, to some extent, in other parties' responses to immigration and integration policy.
Germany is at a politically sensitive moment. Far-right parties are gaining ground across Europe, and within Germany, debates about immigration, integration, and national identity are intensifying. For immigrants and expats — particularly those on pathways to permanent residency or citizenship, or those from outside the EU — the direction of German politics over the next several years is genuinely consequential.
Staying informed is not about fear. It is about understanding the environment you live in and making informed decisions about your own plans — whether that means accelerating a citizenship application, understanding your rights more clearly, or knowing which organisations can support you if needed.
Not directly. Immigration law in Germany is set at the federal level, not by individual states. Your current legal rights — including any pending applications for a Niederlassungserlaubnis or Einbürgerung — are governed by federal law as it stands today. Changes to that law would require a majority in the Bundestag, and the AfD is currently excluded from governing coalitions at the federal level.
This is a legitimate concern that many people share. Eastern German states, including Saxony-Anhalt, do show higher rates of AfD support and, in some studies, higher rates of reported discrimination. This does not mean the region is uniformly hostile — there are many welcoming communities and people there. However, it is reasonable to be aware of the regional context and to connect with local support networks if you are living in or planning to move to the region.
Ulrich Siegmund represents a strand of German politics that is media-smart, electorally significant, and directly relevant to anyone whose life in Germany depends on immigration, integration, or simply feeling welcome in a country they call home. Watching how his campaign and the Saxony-Anhalt election unfold is worthwhile — not with alarm, but with clear eyes.
If you have questions about how the current political climate affects your specific legal situation, consult a qualified immigration lawyer or contact BAMF for guidance on your individual case. Deutschland4U will continue to track political developments that matter for the expat and immigrant community.
Source: The Local
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