The German publication Der Spiegel is known for its provocative journalism, and its recent cover story has sparked considerable interest. Featuring a striking image of Ulrich Siegmund, a young politician from East Germany, the headline reads, “Germany’s Most Dangerous Man.” Siegmund is portrayed with a stylish appearance, complete with designer stubble and a well-groomed quiff, his green eyes directly engaging with the viewer.
Contrary to what one might expect, Siegmund embraces the attention brought by the cover. Throughout his recent campaign activities, he has been seen signing copies of the magazine, even sharing a video of himself doing so with his 800,000 TikTok followers. Current polling suggests that Siegmund is on the verge of becoming the first far-right political leader in a German state since the era of Adolf Hitler.
In his home region of Saxony-Anhalt, support for his party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), has surged to 42%, nearly double that of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The upcoming state elections this Sunday are poised to be among the most significant in postwar German history. A victory for the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt could set a precedent for similar outcomes in other eastern states later this month, raising concerns about the party’s potential success in the federal elections as well. Journalist John Kampfner elaborates on the implications of this situation and assesses the true threat posed by Siegmund in an interview with Helen Pidd.
