Sven Schulze, the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt and CDU member, has stated his openness to a television showdown against AfD challenger Ulrich Siegmund, claiming he has “absolutely no problem” with the idea. He suggested that the AfD and Siegmund offer “not much that would advance Saxony-Anhalt” but rather things that are “challenging” or controversial. Schulze expressed enthusiasm for highlighting these points in appropriate events, including potential TV duels.
However, he cautioned that this timing was inappropriate for the immediate moment, noting that the focus currently lies elsewhere. He suggested that the ideal months for such campaign formats would be August and September, given that the state election is scheduled for September 6th.
Schulze was particularly critical of the AfD’s competence in the economic sphere, arguing that the party fails to grasp the real challenges facing the economy. He dismissed the idea that simple, sweeping promises-such as expelling all foreign nationals-could solve all problems, warning that such simplistic approaches might even lead to drastic measures like closing multiple hospitals in a time of need.
In contrast to his public rhetoric, Schulze maintained a normal, professional relationship with Siegmund in parliamentary settings, considering it a matter of routine to greet him and shake his hand. Yet, he emphasized that personal friendship is unnecessary, stating that he does not possess Siegmund’s private phone number. For Schulze, the crucial element is mutual respect; “these are elected deputies, yes, that should not be forgotten”.
The Minister-President reiterated that his cabinet would not include any ministers from the AfD or the Left Party, adding that he would not allow himself to be dictated to by any political group. He also cautioned against viewing minority governments as a “new, great weapon” for achieving good policy, characterizing them instead as “really difficult” to manage.
Furthermore, Schulze warned the electorate against a “punishment vote” aimed at the current CDU-FDP federal coalition in Berlin. While acknowledging that many citizens are currently dissatisfied with the situation coming from Berlin, he stressed that the election on September 6th should not serve as an accounting session with the federal government. Instead, it represents the decision of how Saxony-Anhalt will govern itself over the next five years.
Finally, the Minister-President promised that he would not hesitate to voice his opinion on federal matters. “This doesn’t please everyone, that’s clear, but that is exactly what people value in me” he asserted. He added that for a small state with only two million inhabitants, the public expects someone who will aggressively defend state interests, both in the large federal capital and in Brussels.
