Saxony-Anhalt Jews Fear AfD Government Ahead of State Election

Ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament election on September 6, 2026, Jewish communities in the German federal state are voicing serious alarm about the prospect of an AfD-led state government. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been classified as confirmed far-right by the state's constitutional protection authority.

A Small But Significant Community

The State Association of Jewish Communities in Saxony-Anhalt represents nearly 1,300 people of Jewish descent across three communities: Dessau-Roßlau, Halle (Saale), and Magdeburg. Chairwoman Inessa Myslitska, in office since December 2024, told DW she fears for religious freedoms under an AfD government. Religious freedom is not a privilege of politically approved religion, she said. Today the political struggle may focus on churches or Islam — tomorrow a different minority could be the target.

Shadow of the 2019 Halle Attack

The community's fears are grounded in experience. On October 9, 2019, Yom Kippur — the holiest day in the Jewish calendar — a far-right attacker attempted a mass murder at the Halle synagogue, where more than 50 worshippers had gathered. When the gunman failed to breach the heavy entrance doors, he killed two people in the surrounding area: a passer-by and a visitor to a nearby kebab shop. The attack shocked Germany and led to enhanced police protection at Jewish sites nationwide. Both the Dessau and Magdeburg synagogues, inaugurated in 2023, also operate under heightened security.

Election Context

Polls consistently show the AfD as the leading party in Saxony-Anhalt ahead of the September 6 vote. The prospect of the party entering government has deepened anxiety among minority communities across the state.