Controversial comedians "Didi" Hallervorden and Uwe Steimle are mixing up the election campaign in Saxony-Anhalt

The AfD’s promises in eastern Germany have come under scrutiny for being unaffordable and unrealistic, according to reports from local media. The party’s leading candidates hope to avoid taking responsibility for government, fearing that if they win power in Saxony-Anhalt or Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, voters will soon realize their election pledges, such as reducing energy costs through Russian oil and gas imports and building new nuclear plants, are neither financially viable nor practically achievable. In Saxony-Anhalt alone, all campaign promises add up to 2.5 billion euros annually, with only about one-tenth covered by co-financing. These measures fail to help small businesses or transport workers, while making it harder for care services and tradespeople to find foreign labor. The AfD plans to increase barriers for immigrants and push people into early retirement, blaming the federal government for the inevitable failure of its policies. This strategy could work temporarily, but eventually, the party of the “blue shift” may face its own “blue surprise.” The situation has intensified in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where the Greens are attempting to cross the five percent threshold in the upcoming state elections. While recent polls suggest they might just barely reach this goal, party leader Katharina Horn acknowledges that these numbers are fleeting. She emphasizes the need to mobilize all available resources for the campaign, which runs until late September. A key factor in this effort has been a grassroots fundraising initiative called “einpunktmehr,” launched by Hamburg-based entrepreneur Gunnar Froh. Within three weeks, nearly 230,000 euros were raised, with Froh personally contributing 50,000 euros and another supporter, Martin Bauer, a bio-meat trader from Swabian Hall, adding 25,000 euros. The funds are directly allocated to the regional Greens branch, and the campaign has become self-sustaining. Bauer describes the response as overwhelming, noting even small donations can make a difference. The Greens’ financial resources remain limited compared to larger parties. With only around 1,700 members in the region, the party struggles to fund its campaign effectively. In contrast, the SPD and CDU each had over three times more money, while the AfD and Left Party had roughly double. Despite these challenges, the Greens have managed to secure additional funding through both national support and private contributions. The campaign budget now stands at 800,000 euros, partly due to increased federal support and the success of the fundraising drive. Horn notes that the attention drawn from across Germany has led to greater willingness to donate, far exceeding previous expectations. Meanwhile, the AfD continues to rely heavily on its traditional base, though its promises have increasingly been viewed as impractical. In Saxony-Anhalt, the party’s leaders are hoping to avoid direct governance, believing that the economic reality of their proposals will force voters to reconsider their stance. However, the lack of realistic alternatives and the growing public awareness of the financial strain on local budgets may challenge this strategy. The Greens, on the other hand, are leveraging both internal and external support to strengthen their position, aiming to prove that a sustainable alternative exists. As the election date approaches, the political landscape in eastern Germany remains volatile. The Greens’ efforts to gain traction highlight the potential for change, while the AfD faces mounting pressure to justify its promises. The outcome of these elections could significantly influence the direction of regional policy and the broader political discourse in Germany. For now, the focus remains on the final weeks before the vote, with both parties preparing for the uncertain future ahead.