Magdeburg, Germany – As the Landtag (state parliament) of Saxony-Anhalt prepares to convene this Tuesday, Germany watches with bated breath. The state stands at a precipice, potentially poised for a political realignment that could send tremors throughout the federal republic. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), having secured an unprecedented 43.8 percent of the secondary votes in the recent state election, is now just three seats shy of an absolute majority. Adding to the tension, the newly formed Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) has controversially announced its intention to support the AfD’s candidate, Tobias Rausch, for the position of Landtag President. This move not only threatens to elevate a party classified by domestic intelligence as extremist in parts, but also paves the way for AfD Spitzenkandidat Ulrich Siegmund to potentially become the first far-right Minister-President in Germany since 1945.
The electoral success of the AfD, with nearly all its new deputies winning direct mandates in their constituencies, reflects a deep-seated discontent and a dramatic shift in the political landscape of Saxony-Anhalt. However, a closer look at the incoming AfD and BSW factions reveals a cohort of politicians whose backgrounds range from alleged neo-Nazi sympathizers, Putin apologists, and individuals embroiled in nepotism scandals, to those accused of document forgery and sexual assault. The AfD faction notably includes only two women, outnumbered even by members named Matthias. This article delves into the profiles of these key figures – the 39 AfD deputies intent on reshaping the republic, and the five BSW members whose support could provide them with critical leverage.
A State in Flux: The Political Climate in Saxony-Anhalt
The recent state election in Saxony-Anhalt has brought the Alternative for Germany (AfD) to an unprecedented position of power, marking a significant moment in Germany’s post-war political history. With 43.8 percent of the secondary votes, the party demonstrated a commanding lead, reflecting a powerful wave of discontent among voters. This strong showing, however, falls just short of an absolute majority by three seats, necessitating coalition talks or unconventional political maneuvering.
The Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), a party founded only recently, has entered the Landtag and positioned itself as a potential kingmaker. Its announcement to support AfD candidate Tobias Rausch for the Landtag President position has ignited a fierce debate across Germany. Critics argue that this move by the BSW, ostensibly formed to challenge the political establishment, risks legitimizing a party that the German domestic intelligence agency (Verfassungsschutz) has classified as partially extremist, and whose youth wing, the Junge Alternative, has been deemed extremist.
The implications of these developments extend far beyond Saxony-Anhalt. Should Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s leading candidate, succeed in his ambition to become the state’s Minister-President, it would mark the first time since 1945 that a politician from the extreme right holds such a high executive office in Germany. This prospect raises profound questions about the stability of democratic institutions, the "cordon sanitaire" traditionally maintained against the far-right, and Germany’s image on the international stage.
The Architect of a New Right: Key Figures of the AfD Faction
The incoming AfD faction in Saxony-Anhalt is a mosaic of individuals with diverse, often controversial, backgrounds. Their collective profile paints a picture of a party that has successfully mainstreamed extreme views and attracted figures from the fringes of German politics.
Ulrich Siegmund: The Smiling Extremist
Ulrich Siegmund, 45, the AfD’s Spitzenkandidat (lead candidate), embodies a chilling paradox. A former member of the conservative Junge Union, he switched to the AfD five years later, entering the Landtag in 2016. Siegmund is known for his perpetual smile, even when articulating deeply unsettling policies. Following the recent election, he chillingly proposed "weaponized aid" as a means to facilitate a "remigration and deportation offensive" – a term that gained national notoriety after his participation in the infamous "Remigrationstreffen" in Potsdam, a secret meeting with right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis discussing plans for mass deportations.
Siegmund’s family has also been implicated in a nepotism scandal, with his father allegedly receiving a monthly salary of up to 7,725 euros for a position with AfD Bundestag member Thomas Korell. Despite these controversies, Siegmund has cultivated a significant online presence, boasting over a million followers on TikTok. Investigations have also revealed that his immediate circle includes individuals with past neo-Nazi affiliations, further solidifying his position within the party’s extreme right wing.
Oliver Kirchner: The Verbal Provocateur
Oliver Kirchner, who first entered the Landtag in 2016 and has served as the AfD’s parliamentary group leader since 2018, is primarily known for his offensive remarks. He was the party’s lead candidate in the 2021 state election. Kirchner has attracted the attention of the Verfassungsschutz for spreading the "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory and making overtly racist statements. In a post-election interview, he referred to BSW chairman Fabio De Masi as "this half-Italian," highlighting his penchant for xenophobic rhetoric.
Hans-Thomas Tillschneider: The Ideological Hardliner
Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, 48, an Islamic scholar by profession, is one of the party’s most radical ideologues. A prominent figure in the now-dissolved far-right "Flügel" (wing) and a spokesperson for the "Patriotische Plattform," Tillschneider has seen his völkisch (ethno-nationalist) positions become mainstream within the AfD. He co-founded "Ein Prozent," a network with close ties to the extremist Identitäre Bewegung, is a known supporter of Pegida, a vocal admirer of Vladimir Putin (even owning a Russian army coffee mug), and hosts an annual "Prussian Festival." Tillschneider was instrumental in drafting the AfD’s ultra-radical election program and has openly declared war on the federal government, stating, "The federal government has declared war on its own people, therefore we are waging war against this federal government."
Tobias Rausch: The Power Broker and Future President-Designate
Tobias Rausch, 35, a real estate agent and the current parliamentary business manager, is at the heart of the AfD’s alleged nepotism scandal. He employed four footballers from his own club, his wife works for the AfD faction, and three of his siblings and a brother-in-law are employed by AfD Bundestag members. Rausch is considered a key operator and string-puller within Siegmund’s "Pokerrunde," an internal clique where positions are allegedly traded. He has faced criticism for a taxpayer-funded trip to New York with his wife and for building a real estate empire (owning 176 apartments, according to his website) alongside his parliamentary duties, without declaring his secondary income. Rausch boasts of strong connections to the CDU and is currently leading negotiations with the BSW. His designation as the potential Landtag President is seen as a crucial "crowbar to unhinge democracy."
Philipp-Anders Rau: The Disgraced Academic
Philipp-Anders Rau’s past is marred by scandal. Before turning 30, he attempted to re-enter university in 2012 but falsified his Abitur (high school diploma), changing a 3.5 average to a 1.0. He was expelled and unsuccessfully challenged the decision, claiming his girlfriend sent the documents and that his cocaine addiction rendered him "not master of his senses." He had prior convictions for multiple thefts. Later, Rau worked for the AfD parliamentary group, traveled to the USA with other AfD members, and posed for a photo with Donald Trump. He is also allegedly involved in a pornographic film shoot and is part of the internal "Pokerrunde."
Simon Lansmann: The Neo-Nazi Esotericist
Rancher Simon Lansmann from Gardelegen faces an ongoing investigation for continuing the activities of the "Artgemeinschaft," a neo-Nazi esoteric sect banned in 2023. This group, which saw itself as the guardian of a "Germanic race" and enforced its own "moral laws" including "like-minded marital choice as a guarantee for like-minded children," has deep extremist roots. Lansmann is alleged to have recently celebrated a solstice festival on his farm with former Artgemeinschaft members, including his new fellow AfD deputy Sebastian Koch, where a Hitler Youth song was reportedly sung.
Sebastian Koch: The Veteran Neo-Nazi
Sebastian Koch, 39, has a long history of association with neo-Nazis. Ten years ago, he posed in "I love NS" and "Nazi" shirts and participated in combat training with the now-dissolved Chemnitz neo-Nazi group "Rechtes Plenum." Nine years ago, he became chairman of the AfD Altmarkkreis. More recently, he attended the solstice celebration at Simon Lansmann’s farm where a Hitler Youth song was sung. According to the Verfassungsschutz, Koch has also participated in neo-Nazi "hero commemorations" and concerts. On social media, he espouses theories of a "race war against our children" and claims that migrants’ "cultural genetic makeup" makes them "severely misogynistic." He also disseminates the Wehrmacht motto "Treue um Treue" (Loyalty for Loyalty). During a recent search related to the "Artgemeinschaft" investigation, weapons were found at Koch’s residence, leading to further investigations.
Jan Moldenhauer: The Architect of "Remigration"
Jan Moldenhauer, a doctor of economics and Landtag member since 2021, is another key figure in the "Pokerrunde." He is credited as the author of the "remigration chapter" in the AfD’s election program. Moldenhauer actively seeks international models for anti-migration policies and advocates for "million-fold deportations." He was previously active in the Junge Alternative, had close ties to the völkisch Identitäre Bewegung, and was part of the AfD’s Patriotische Plattform.
Frank-Ronald Bischoff: The Stasi Past
Frank-Ronald Bischoff, 77, has a controversial past as an officer in special deployment for the Stasi, East Germany’s secret police, for twelve years. He was reportedly responsible for individuals seeking to leave the GDR. Bischoff publicly wears a pin displaying both the Russian and German flags. Allegations of vote buying have also been raised during his candidacy nomination.
Ronny Kumpf: "Porno-Ronny"
Ronny Kumpf, who joined the AfD in its founding year, earned the internal party nickname "Porno-Ronny" due to his previous attempts as a pornographic actor. Despite this, he became a city councilor and vice-chairman of the state association under former state leader André Poggenburg. Kumpf was cited twice in the 2023 Verfassungsschutz report for, among other things, inciting "self-defense" against the peaceful sit-ins of the climate activist group "Letzte Generation."
Gordon Köhler: The Fiscal Waste Accused
Gordon Köhler, a party member since 2014 and Landtag member since 2021, has been re-elected as deputy faction leader and is part of the "Pokerrunde." A former employee of the Jobcenter and Magdeburg city administration, he advocates for increased child support and opposes CO2 taxation and vaccine mandates. In 2016, as AfD district chairman, he attempted to bring party colleague Tillschneider to Burg for an anti-Islam lecture, which was canceled after protests. In 2025 (likely a typo, meant 2024 or earlier), he traveled to New York with other AfD politicians at taxpayer expense, a trip criticized by the Taxpayers’ Federation as wasteful with "no discernible benefit." Ironically, he was later appointed head of the party’s internal commission investigating the "Filzaffäre" (nepotism scandal). Also in 2025, with CDU support, he pushed for Germany flags to be permanently displayed on all buildings in Jerichower Land, aiming to strengthen the feeling of belonging to a "community of destiny and confession" as Germans.
Daniel Wald: The Racist Putin Enthusiast
Daniel Wald, a trained chef and businessman, joined the AfD in 2015 and entered the Landtag as a replacement in 2018. A confidant of hardliner Tillschneider, he planned a trip with him to the Russian-occupied Donbas region of Ukraine in 2022, which was canceled after criticism. In 2025 (likely 2024 or earlier), he praised the German women’s national football team on X for playing "without a n*gress." He also seeks to "dry up" democratic alliances like "Bündnis Weltoffener Saalekreis."
Jan Scharfenort: The Pro-Russian Financier
Jan Scharfenort joined the AfD in 2016 and entered the Landtag in 2021, serving on the finance committee. The trained financial expert is a signatory of the pro-Russian initiative "Stop the Sanctions" and traveled with other AfD members from Saxony-Anhalt last year to the USA for a meeting with supporters of Trump’s MAGA cult.
Dennis Möhring: The Harz Forest Defender with a Revoked Gun License
Dennis Möhring, a master carpenter and hunter, joined the AfD in 2017, citing the Greek bailout, the nuclear phase-out, and the acceptance of refugees as his motivations. He aims to improve the condition of the Harz forest. As a member of an extremist party, he was required to surrender his gun license.
Matthias Büttner (Staßfurt): The Threatening Politician
Matthias Büttner (Staßfurt), not to be confused with his younger namesake from Stendal, faced rape allegations in December 2016 from a former AfD staffer during a business trip. The criminal proceedings were dropped due to insufficient evidence. In the Landtag, he once threatened to lead a mob of angry motorists, armed with pitchforks and torches, into the parliament.
Daniel Roi: The Party Dissident with a Neo-Nazi Past
Daniel Roi, 38, is an old adversary of former state leader André Poggenburg and a potential disruptor of party unity. He secured a direct mandate but was excluded from the parliamentary group in 2024 due to an "irrevocably destroyed" relationship of trust. However, he was only reprimanded in party exclusion proceedings and later readmitted. It remains unclear whether he will vote for Siegmund in a secret ballot. In 2017, he made headlines with a post about the Bundestag presidium, featuring "a wheelchair user, Claudia Roth from the Greens, and an African from the SPD," calling it a "perfect reflection of the FRG 2017." In 2009, he participated in a far-right march by the "Junge Landsmannschaft Ostpreußen" alongside NPD members.
Matthias Büttner (Stendal): The Nepotism Beneficiary
Matthias Büttner (Stendal), the younger of the two Matthias Büttners in the faction, is not related to his namesake. However, his parents were employed for 556 euros in the office of AfD Bundestag member Thomas Korell, linking him to the party’s nepotism network. Before his parliamentary career, Büttner (Stendal) served as Ulrich Siegmund’s office manager. He was a member of the Bundestag from 2017 to 2021 before transitioning to the Saxony-Anhalt Landtag.
Christian Ulrich Hecht: The JA Donor and MAGA Traveler
Christian Ulrich Hecht, a Landtag member since 2021, has repeatedly failed in his attempts to become Vice-President of the Landtag. He donated to the Junge Alternative, which has been dissolved due to its extremism. His wife previously worked for Bundestag member Jan Wenzel Schmidt. Last year, he was part of the AfD delegation that traveled to the USA to meet with Trump’s MAGA supporters.
Armin Friese: The Party Rebel
Armin Friese is among the new AfD deputies but has a longer history within the party. In 2017, he was briefly nominated as a direct candidate for the Bundestag but was removed by the AfD state leadership for allegedly acting against the board led by André Poggenburg.
Nadine Koppehel: One of Two Women, Embroiled in Phantom Employment Claims
Nadine Koppehel, 49, daughter of former state parliament member Margret Wendt, adorns her social media profile with a Russian flag. She is one of only two women in the AfD faction. Koppehel was also at the center of the "relative affair," suspected of employing a staggering 16 staff members in her constituency office, raising strong suspicions of phantom employment. Despite this, she was re-elected. In public dialogues, she remains largely silent, except when discussing animal welfare.
Florian Schröder: The Putin Celebrator and Hater of Journalists
Florian Schröder, a trained industrial mechanic, former car salesman, and sales representative, switched from the FDP to the AfD in 2015. Despite Russia’s war of aggression, he celebrated Vladimir Putin’s birthday at the Russian Embassy in 2025 (likely 2024 or earlier) but also traveled with an AfD delegation to Trump’s USA. A hunter interested in gun rights, the 51-year-old called journalist Tilo Jung "the pinnacle of human and moral depravity" and equated politicians with "disease." He posts selfies with Alice Weidel on Facebook, often set to the "Ausländer raus" (Foreigners out) anthem by Gigi d’Agostino.
Felix Zietmann: The Self-Proclaimed Nepotism Fighter, Accused of Neo-Nazism
In March, Felix Zietmann, an industrial mechanic and self-proclaimed trained miner, made headlines with the interjection in the Landtag: "We only need to win once! You always have to win!" According to Der Spiegel, he was previously seen at neo-Nazi "mourning marches." He joined the AfD in 2014 and entered the Landtag in 2021. At a party convention last year, he vowed that the AfD would "clean up the nepotism in this country." However, when his own party’s nepotism scandal became public shortly thereafter, he remained silent. In the Landtag, he funded 13 employees through taxpayer money, more than the entire Green faction.
Dirk Lassowski: The "Reckoning Day" Nationalist
On election day, Dirk Lassowski posted on Facebook: "Today is reckoning day for your actions." Lassowski was previously active in municipal politics for the AfD, having joined the party on January 21, 2019. He organized demonstrations in Haldensleben against anti-Corona policies, war, and all other German parties. He opposes "culturally alien skilled workers" and stated that he would prefer "Germans from Silesia and East Prussia" in the national football team over a "colorful team."
Daniel Rausch: The Father of the President-Designate and Brief Deputy President
Daniel Rausch is the father of Tobias Rausch, the presumptive Landtag President candidate. The rest of his four children and his wife also work for the AfD. Papa Rausch himself was the first deputy Landtag President for the AfD in 2016. He was elected with 46 votes when the AfD had 25 deputies in Saxony-Anhalt. However, he only held the position for seven minutes, repeatedly struggling to maintain order. After an interruption, he resigned from the office for "personal reasons."
Hagen Kohl: The LKA Veteran and "Antifa" Accuser
Hagen Kohl, 57, from Magdeburg, has been an AfD member since March 2013 and previously worked as a case officer for the LKA (State Criminal Police Office). He advocates for "citizen work" for unemployed immigrants, supports the use of Palantir by the police, and declared the Left and Greens to be the "parliamentary arm of Antifa." In his Magdeburg constituency, he lost the direct election to the Left Party’s Mustafa Groener.
Volker Olenicak: The Antisemitic Former MP
Volker Olenicak is returning to the Saxony-Anhalt Landtag, having served as a deputy from 2016 to 2021. During his previous term, he gained notoriety for an antisemitic Facebook post, calling the then-Chancellor a "Zionist US agent." Before the current election, he told the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung that he wanted to stop the energy transition and arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Lothar Waehler: The Nepotism-Linked Underperformer
Lothar Waehler, a heating installer, previously voted for the CDU but switched to the AfD due to asylum policy. In 2021, he was the only AfD member to win a direct mandate. Before the current election, he admitted to having achieved nothing for his constituency because all AfD motions had been rejected. In 2024, he planned an anti-asylum demonstration with party colleague Tillschneider past the house of CDU district administrator Götz Ulrich, but the route was changed after protests. Waehler was also part of the nepotism scandal, with his wife and daughter allegedly employed by AfD Bundestag members.
Matthias Lieschke: The Inconspicuous Leaker
Matthias Lieschke, a Landtag member since 2016, was excluded from the AfD faction earlier this year for allegedly leaking internal party information shortly before the election. However, this appears to be of minor concern to the AfD leadership, as he is reinstated in the new faction. He has largely remained inconspicuous.
Christian Mertens: The Youngest, with a Questionable Office Setup
At 35, Christian Mertens is the youngest AfD deputy in the Saxony-Anhalt Landtag. In the last legislative period, he served on the education committee and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to become Vice-President of the Landtag. In 2021, he became the state chairman of the Junge Alternative in Saxony-Anhalt, remaining in the role until its self-dissolution in 2025. He lists the same address for his constituency office as AfD deputy Jan Moldenhauer, but according to MDR, no one can be found there, raising questions about the 2,300 euro monthly lump sum deputies receive for operating such offices.
Andreas Best: The CDU Defector Focused on Internal Security
Andreas Best, who joined the CDU in the 1990s, switched to the AfD in 2015 due to migration policy. He has been active in municipal politics since 2019 as a city councilor and since
