BERLIN: The likely leader of the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, the far-right Alternative for Germany’s Ulrich Siegmund, suggested a weapons producer could be allowed to operate in the state to provide resources for his party’s planned deportation campaigns.
The AfD, which wants to restore ties with Russia and brands itself a “party of peace”, opposes Germany’s record defence spending under Chancellor Friedrich Merz and military support for Ukraine, raising questions about the future of a planned defence industry investment in the city of Sangerhausen.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Siegmund indicated the AfD was not opposed to arms production for domestic purposes when asked about the site.
“We do not condemn the production of military equipment across the board, because we will naturally need the appropriate resources for future repatriation and deportation campaigns,” he said. “This is also in the interest of internal security, our own stability, and national defence,” he added.
Local public broadcaster MDR has reported that Israel’s Elbit Systems is in talks to build a plant there to manufacture components for other German companies. City officials say no complete weapons systems, drones or artillery shells would be produced at the site, which could create up to 400 jobs.
Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2026
