The candidate of the Alternative for Germany party wants to abolish ministries and compulsory education in its current form as the head of government.
Ulrike Sigmund, the leading candidate for the AfD party in Saxony-Anhalt, announced plans for a radical restructuring of the state if his party comes to power, including the abolition of ministries and agencies, and ending compulsory education in its current form.
In an interview with Der Spiegel magazine, Zygmunt stated that the state government will be "significantly reduced." He explained that one or two ministries may be eliminated through "logical" mergers, along with a reduction in the number of government agencies. He specifically mentioned the state energy agency (Landesenergieagentur), considering it unnecessary.
Zygmunt proposed a radical plan to restructure public broadcasting (öffentlich-rechtlicher Rundfunk). He suggests replacing it with a maximum of two stations, which are prohibited from expressing any opinions, and their role is limited to providing 'objective reports only' within what he described as the 'basic radio' model.
The politician in AfD had previously revealed more radical plans, including the abolition of compulsory education (Schulpflicht - compulsory education) in its current form and tightening immigration policies. He confirmed that the goal is not limited to Saxony-Anhalt, but aims to 'turn the entire state upside down.'
Ulrich Siegmund is 35 years old and may become the first head of government from the AfD party. Current opinion polls indicate that the party is receiving about 40 percent of the votes, ahead of the CDU party, which won the state elections in 2021. The AfD party in Saxony-Anhalt is classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz) as a far-right party.