# Saxony-Anhalt: A chemical industry stronghold with a surging AfD

https://mins.news/en/item/33230

- DW, 2026-08-26 14:24 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.dw.com/en/saxony-anhalt-a-state-dominated-by-the-chemical-industry-and-a-strong-afd/a-78482588?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

> Saxony-Anhalt is a sparsely populated, predominantly rural state undergoing structural change after the lignite phaseout. Ahead of the September 2026 election, the far-right AfD, led by Ulrich Siegmund, is polling above 40%, well ahead of the CDU at 23% to 26%, raising the possibility that it could lead a German state government for the first time after World War II.

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