Germany's AfD eyes first far-right state government since 1945 : NPR

Key Points:

• Ulrich Siegmund, a 35-year-old AfD candidate for governor in Saxony-Anhalt, has become a TikTok influencer, helping his far-right party lead polls ahead of Sunday's state election, potentially making the AfD the first far-right party to govern a German state since WWII.
• Siegmund's polished, approachable image contrasts with the AfD's hardline anti-immigration stance, which includes criticism of foreign health workers and calls for mass deportation of migrants.
• Former AfD supporter Hannes Kreschel critiques the party's economic policies and highlights discrepancies between its campaign messaging and actual policies, aiming to change minds through respectful dialogue and facts.
• Some voters, like Alexander Winsek, are drawn to Siegmund's optimistic and youthful persona despite reservations about the AfD's broader positions, seeing him as a refreshing alternative to traditional politicians.
• Experts note that many AfD voters are pro-democracy but disillusioned with the current system, attracted by the party's promise of "real" democracy and anti-establishment appeal, which challenges mainstream parties' ability to connect with these voters.