In Saxony-Anhalt, AfD – Germany’s far-right party – is polling at 40% or more of voting intentions, just days ahead of the regional election on 6 September 2026. If the AfD wins an absolute majority of seats, it could soon be in charge here. It would be the first time since 1945 that a far-right party has led a German region. To get there, the party is banking on the promise of a return to “the Germany of old”, leaning on East German symbols such as Simson mopeds and retro aesthetics. It is a well-established strategy that draws on a gnawing sense of decline for decades and increasing distrust of traditional parties.