Tino Chrupalla, the party leader of the AfD, has expressed optimism following his party’s victory in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, believing that AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund could become the Minister-President. Speaking to RTL and ntv on Monday, Chrupalla stated that he is “absolutely confident that he can manage it, and that he might even be willing to make compromises in some respects. That is also a task of politics.”
Chrupalla suggested that there are always areas where the AfD could engage with other parties, though he declined to speak about specific negotiations ahead of time. He highlighted that Siegmund convinced many voters, securing almost 44 percent. Furthermore, Chrupalla believes Siegmund will succeed in persuading deputies from other parties.
Regarding the requirement for a governing majority, Chrupalla stressed that a simple majority of only one vote would be sufficient. He cautioned, however, that the crucial factor is the reliability of that single vote and whether it can sustain itself over the full five years. “Majority is majority, and you cannot choose otherwise later on,” he added. This contradicts Siegmund’s previous assertion that he could “absolutely not” become Minister-President with just a one-vote majority.
The AfD affirmed its commitment to honoring all campaign promises, stating that this is their duty to the electorate. Chrupalla emphasized that there would not be a Minister-President named Ulrich Siegmund merely for the sake of it, noting that the political configuration must be sound. Ultimately, the AfD aims to establish a “strong, reliable government,” rejecting political dynamics similar to those seen in Thuringia.
