Newly elected representatives of the far-right \u00abAlternative for Germany\u00bb in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament have come under intense scrutiny due to criminal investigations, past service in the Stasi and links to far-right networks. The party won 44% seats, but it is three seats short of forming a state government on its own, whilst the other major parties are refusing to form a coalition.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the MPs who won a direct mandate in his constituency admitted that served in the Ministry of State Security of the communist GDR<\/strong>. The 78-year-old man worked with East German citizens who were seeking to leave the country for good. His appointment was criticised by groups representing the victims of the former East German dictatorship.<\/p>\n Another MP had previously appeared in porn films<\/strong> \u2014 this was confirmed by the court when the politician challenged a report in a local newspaper. He was also convicted of stealing a large quantity of bed linen from a hotel. *Die Zeit* reported that he was expelled from university for falsifying their school certificate<\/strong>; the MP himself stated that he had secured his reinstatement through a legal challenge.<\/p>\n Two elected representatives are under investigation on suspicion of attempting to continue the activities of a banned far-right organisation Art Community<\/strong>. This is a neo-pagan group that espoused nationalist and anti-Semitic ideas. Both politicians deny the allegations; the younger of the two is also suspected by the prosecution of breaching firearms legislation.<\/p>\n An investigation by ZDF television has revealed links between some prospective MPs \u2013 who were also members of the previous parliamentary group \u2013 and far-right organisations. In particular, this concerns membership of the banned organisation \u00abGerman Youth Faithful to the Fatherland\u00bb (HDJ), which one of them once led. An adviser to the parliamentary group AfD<\/a> wrote a biography described as \u00aban homage to National Socialism\u00bb.<\/p>\n Among the future MPs are also politicians with pro-Kremlin links and those who have met with representatives of the Maga movement in Washington. The AfD has promised to restrict migration and restore ties with Moscow.<\/p>\n Ulrich Sigmund<\/strong>, who was unanimously re-elected as leader of the AfD parliamentary group on Thursday, jokingly referred to the two individuals under investigation as \u00abthe bad guys\u00bb. He stated that the party would await the results of the investigation and then discuss the situation.<\/p>\n When asked about the planned opening of an Israeli arms company\u2019s facility in the country, Sigmund said that the manufacture of arms should not be categorically condemned. According to him, such resources may be needed for the AfD\u2019s announced \u00abremigration\u00bb campaign and deportations<\/a>.<\/p>\n Chair of the Social Democratic Party parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt Katya Pele<\/strong> She described the remarks as a \u00abpolitical threat\u00bb. She stated that Sigmund had alluded to the use of violence as a political tool, and that his rhetoric was reminiscent of totalitarian models.<\/p>\n In the 83-seat Landtag, the AfD holds just under half of the seats. To form a government, it needs either defections from other parties or the support of a single party. The mainstream parties are currently refusing to enter into a coalition with the AfD.<\/p>\n\n
The faction includes a former Stasi officer and an MP with a criminal record<\/h2>\n
The investigation into Artgemeinschaft and its links to far-right groups<\/h2>\n
Zigmund promised to await the outcome of the cases, whilst the SPD accused him of making a political threat<\/h2>\n
The government\u2019s prospects depend on support from outside the AfD<\/h2>\n