Education Minister Obliges No Collaboration with AfD

In the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, 2026, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) will be led by a new face. The 46-year-old Sven Schulze, the current state CDU chairman and Minister of Economic Affairs, has been announced as the party's top candidate. This marks a generational change, as incumbent Minister President Reiner Haseloff will not run again.

Schulze's announcement comes as the CDU looks to maintain its position as the strongest force in the state. According to a representative Insa election poll in June, the CDU came in as the strongest force in Saxony-Anhalt with 34 percent, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) following closely behind with 30 percent.

The CDU's state chairman has been vocal about his stance on the AfD. Karin Prien, Federal Education Minister, has ruled out cooperation between the CDU and AfD after the state election, stating that such cooperation would be incompatible with the CDU's incompatibility resolution. Furthermore, Prien has emphasised her goal to prevent the AfD from gaining strength in upcoming elections and to maintain a majority in the civic center.

Interestingly, in a separate development, the dpa news agency reported that Schulze has announced a new political alliance with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens for the upcoming state election. The current coalition of CDU, SPD, and FDP is in power in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt.

However, it is important to note that the AfD does not belong to the civic center, according to both Karin Prien and Sven Schulze. The CDU's focus remains on securing a majority and preventing the AfD from gaining strength in the upcoming election.

As the state election approaches, the political landscape in Saxony-Anhalt is set to undergo significant changes. The CDU, under the leadership of Sven Schulze, will aim to build on its current strength and maintain its position as the dominant party in the state. The AfD, on the other hand, will look to capitalise on any opportunities to gain support and challenge the CDU's position. Only time will tell how the election will unfold.