AfD’s new Saxony-Anhalt lawmakers include former Stasi officer and figures linked to far-right groups

World electionsgermanyTop News AfD’s new Saxony-Anhalt lawmakers include former Stasi officer and figures linked to far-right groups Afd Sxaony 1024x683 Relevant News AfD’s new Saxony-Anhalt lawmakers include former Stasi officer and figures linked to far-right groups 12 September 2026 Four injured after two-car crash in Limassol 12 September 2026 Markets see more ECB rate hikes ahead as inflation pressures persist 12 September 2026 newsroom 12 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Several newly elected lawmakers from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt have come under scrutiny over controversial backgrounds, following the party’s landslide victory in the eastern German state. Among the 39 AfD representatives set to enter the state parliament are a former officer of East Germany’s secret police, a man convicted of theft who has acknowledged involvement in pornographic productions, and candidates investigated over possible links to far-right and neo-Nazi organisations. Image Particular attention has focused on two newly elected lawmakers who are being investigated over a possible attempt to continue the activities of Artgemeinschaft, a banned far-right organisation with neo-pagan, nationalist and antisemitic references. According to prosecutors, one of the two has also been investigated over possible offences related to the possession or use of weapons. Both men deny the allegations. A report by German public broadcaster ZDF also found that some members of the AfD’s new parliamentary group, who had also served during the previous legislative period, had links to far-right organisations. Among them are figures who had taken part in activities of the Heimattreue Deutsche Jugend (HDJ), an organisation later banned by German authorities. In one case, a politician was reportedly involved in leading the group. Also under scrutiny is an adviser to the AfD parliamentary group who wrote a biography that has been described as a “tribute to National Socialism”. From the Stasi to the AfD The election of a 78-year-old former Stasi officer has also drawn attention after he won a direct mandate in his constituency. He has acknowledged working for the Ministry for State Security of communist East Germany, where his duties included monitoring citizens who wanted to permanently leave the country. His presence in the new parliament has prompted reactions from organisations representing victims of the former East German dictatorship. Former porn actor with legal troubles Another controversial figure in the new AfD parliamentary group is Philipp-Anders Rau. Rau has faced legal issues, with a court ruling in favour of a newspaper report that said he had worked as an actor in pornographic films. He has also been convicted of theft and expelled from university after forging a secondary school diploma. In the past, he appeared alongside Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago as a far-right activist. The “bad ones” in the new parliamentary group Image AfD’s leader in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, who was unanimously re-elected as head of the parliamentary group, was asked to comment on the controversial backgrounds of the new lawmakers. Referring sarcastically to the two politicians under criminal investigation, he described them as “the bad ones” and said the party would wait for the investigations to be completed before making substantive comments. The newly elected group also includes politicians with pro-Russian links and figures who have visited representatives of the MAGA movement in Washington. Coalition partner remains uncertain Despite AfD’s sweeping success, the far-right party failed to secure an outright majority, leaving government formation in Saxony-Anhalt uncertain. With traditional parties ruling out any cooperation with AfD, which has been classified as an extremist neo-Nazi organisation by Germany’s highest court, only Sahra Wagenknecht’s BSW currently appears as a possible coalition partner. A second scenario would involve lawmakers leaving the parties under which they were elected and joining Siegmund’s government proposal. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Four injured after two-car crash in Limassol Markets see more ECB rate hikes ahead as inflation pressures persist Erhürman faces tougher path to Cyprus talks as elections and Ankara pressure loom Two doctors face prosecution over Mazonakis’s death as investigations uncover new evidence Saudis shut down oil pipeline as Houthis tighten grip on Red Sea shipping 30-year-old man in critical condition after explosion in Sotira (photos) Sofia Christodoulou Makri signals EDEK reset with focus on social issues Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.