Sven Schulze, the designated leading candidate for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt state election, has explicitly ruled out any form of cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party following the vote in September 2026.
Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Schulze affirmed his position aligns with that of current Minister-President Reiner Haseloff, stating, “We will not coalition with or cooperate with the AfD after the state election. There will be no discussion about it.
However, Schulze emphasized the need to address the concerns of voters currently supporting the AfD. “Our task must also be to focus more strongly on the many issues that are of interest to AfD voters. We must not ignore them. My goal is to win back those who previously voted CDU”. He further asserted the CDU’s capacity to address all relevant issues independently, stating they are not reliant on the AfD or any other party for answers.
Schulze maintained that stability is paramount for the region, arguing the AfD’s agenda would undermine that. “We are a stable state and we want to remain a stable state. This is not possible with a party like the AfD, which is solely interested in destabilizing the country. This applies equally to parties on the far left. We need an alliance of the center, led by the CDU” he explained.
Looking to the federal level, Schulze urged the current governing coalition to restore public trust in Berlin’s political landscape. “Ultimately, it is important that the federal government gradually regains trust among the population through its work in all areas. Especially the trust in Berlin’s politics, which has been lost under the current coalition. That would be the tailwind we could really use in the upcoming state elections.
Schulze also acknowledged the unique political context of eastern Germany, expressing pride in the progress made in Saxony-Anhalt since 1989. He highlighted that anxieties among residents in the east are more pronounced, fearing the erosion of established achievements. He intends to address these concerns throughout the election campaign, noting that the situation in eastern Germany differs from the rest of the country.
