The news magazine “Der Spiegel” has defended its decision to feature Ulrich Siegmund, the leading candidate for the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, on the cover of its latest issue. In a statement released on Sunday, Editor-in-Chief Dirk Kurbjuweit emphasized that “relevance is our top criterion, not the question of who a title story benefits or harms.” He further asserted that the magazine does not suffer from the “hubris of believing that with our journalism, we can influence election results.”
Kurbjuweit stated that the AfD is strong and, consequently, highly relevant, making it subject to the magazine’s investigatory reporting in every form. Siegmund, specifically, is viewed as a “highly relevant figure” because an AfD Minister-President in Saxony-Anhalt would fundamentally change not just the federal state, but the Federal Republic itself.
Fundamentally, the magazine covers “the relevant themes and figures of the respective time” in its title stories. These themes are often described as disruptive, which is why figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin frequently appear on the cover, though the magazine does not equate them.
This week’s cover shows Siegmund alongside the caption, “Germany’s most dangerous man.” Kurbjuweit explained the choice, noting that the AfD politician appears friendly and winning-even to citizens who are not right-wing extremists but who desire significant political changes. However, the editor revealed that he is “supported by a network of right-wing extremists” in the background. Kurbjuweit concluded that Siegmund’s plans for Saxony-Anhalt constitute “an attack on liberal democracy.” By combining his accessibility and extremist ties, Siegmund becomes, in the magazine’s view, a dangerous figure.
The cover provoked widespread condemnation from critics of the AfD. Siegmund himself mocked the presentation by posting a photo of himself signing the cover of a “Spiegel” issue.
