Key facts
- AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund suggested a weapons producer could operate in Saxony-Anhalt to fund deportation campaigns.
- Siegmund indicated the AfD is not opposed to arms production for domestic purposes.
- Israel's Elbit Systems is reportedly in talks to build a plant in Sangerhausen to manufacture components for other German companies.
- City officials state no complete weapons systems would be produced at the Sangerhausen site.
- The AfD won 39 seats in the Saxony-Anhalt state election and is seeking to form a government.
- Some AfD members-elect have criminal records or ties to neo-Nazi organizations.
Ulrich Siegmund, the leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, has suggested that a weapons producer could be permitted to operate in the state to generate resources for his party's planned deportation campaigns. Siegmund indicated that the AfD was not opposed to arms production for domestic purposes, stating, "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."
Local broadcaster MDR reported that Israel's Elbit Systems is in discussions to establish a plant in Sangerhausen to manufacture components for other German companies, a project that could create up to 400 jobs. City officials have stated that no complete weapons systems would be produced at the site. Elbit Systems Deutschland told Reuters that it continuously evaluates expansion opportunities in Germany but has not yet selected future locations.
The AfD secured 44% of the seats in the Saxony-Anhalt state election and is seeking to form a government. The party's prospective new MPs have faced scrutiny over their backgrounds, including alleged criminal records, past ties to the Stasi secret police, and connections to neo-Nazi organizations. Two MPs are reportedly under investigation for seeking to continue the activities of a banned neopagan group with nationalist and antisemitic ideas. One of these MPs is also alleged to have violated weapons laws.
Siegmund referred to some of the MPs with questionable biographies as "the bad guys" and stated that the party would await the results of investigations. The AfD's win has prompted protests across Germany, with mainstream parties refusing to form a coalition with them.