Right in front: AfD could win German state

Summary of Right in front: AfD could win German state

by The Economist

23m•September 2, 2026
Listen to Episode

Overview of Right in front: AfD could win German state

This episode of The Intelligence focuses on the possibility that Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) could win real governing power in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, a major political milestone in postwar Germany. The show also examines the controversy around Palantir’s growing role in British public services and ends with a look at China’s emerging domestic chocolate industry.

AfD’s Chance to Win in Saxony-Anhalt

Why this election matters

  • The AfD’s lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, is campaigning in Saxony-Anhalt ahead of a crucial state election.
  • If the AfD wins enough seats to govern, it would be the first time since World War II that a right-wing nationalist party takes control of a German state.
  • This would break a long-standing political “firewall” in Germany, where mainstream parties refuse to govern with the AfD.

What the AfD stands for

  • The AfD is positioned on the harder edge of Europe’s populist right.
  • Core positions include:
    • Anti-immigration and anti-asylum policies
    • Support for “remigration”, a slogan associated with ethnonationalist ideas
    • Pro-Russia foreign policy and opposition to support for Ukraine
    • A strong anti-elite message, portraying other parties as a political cartel

What the party wants to do in government

  • The AfD has a detailed 258-page manifesto for Saxony-Anhalt.
  • Proposed policies include:
    • Changes to education and school curricula
    • Segregating classes, including separating refugee children and disabled children from mainstream schools
    • More Russian language teaching and restored school exchanges with Russia
    • A historical emphasis on 19th-century German achievements rather than what the party sees as an overfocus on Nazi crimes

Why implementation may be difficult

  • Saxony-Anhalt is cash-strapped, with heavy debt and dependence on transfers from other German states.
  • The AfD has made expensive promises while also pledging not to take on new debt, making the numbers unlikely to add up.
  • The party has little governing experience, raising doubts about its administrative competence.

How institutions are preparing

  • Local and national institutions are already planning for an AfD victory:
    • The state parliament has altered rules for judicial appointments to reduce disruption.
    • Interior ministers from other German states are considering ways to limit the sharing of sensitive security information, especially given concerns about Russia.

Local reaction

  • Supporters see the AfD as a chance to shake up politics.
  • Opponents fear widespread protests and long-term damage, including:
    • Outmigration of skilled workers
    • A deeper political and social shock across Germany
  • One key sentiment from locals: they do not want Saxony-Anhalt to become a “testing ground” or “laboratory” for radical politics.

Palantir and the Politics of Tech in Britain

What Palantir does

  • Palantir’s software helps public agencies connect fragmented data and turn it into usable information.
  • Its tools have been used in:
    • Defense
    • Policing
    • The National Health Service (NHS)

Why it is controversial

  • Palantir is associated with:
    • Surveillance and “technomilitarism”
    • Aggressive lobbying
    • Political baggage from figures like Peter Thiel
  • Critics point to uses of Palantir technology in contentious contexts, including:
    • U.S. immigration enforcement
    • Israeli military operations

The NHS debate

  • Palantir’s NHS contract is especially contentious because:
    • The company has used questionable statistics to promote its impact
    • Critics worry about vendor lock-in, where government becomes overly dependent on one supplier
    • There are concerns about digital sovereignty and reliance on American tech

The counterargument

  • Supporters argue that:
    • British public services are in poor shape and need workable tools now
    • Palantir is solving real problems in data management and service coordination
    • The criticism is often political and overstated
  • The segment concludes that Palantir is controversial, but the underlying need for better public-sector software is real.

China’s Emerging Chocolate Market

Why chocolate has been a niche product in China

  • Chocolate is not deeply embedded in Chinese food culture.
  • Traditional Chinese desserts are often less sweet and use ingredients like red bean paste.
  • Chocolate remains relatively expensive and is not widely consumed.
  • China accounts for only about 2% of global chocolate consumption.

The rise of domestic premium brands

  • A new wave of Chinese chocolatiers is trying to build a local market.
  • The standout example is Chok Revive, which:
    • Makes chocolate in China
    • Uses Chinese fruits and flavors
    • Is building a bean-to-bar supply chain
    • Has its own R&D facility in China

Why it may work

  • The company is trying to make chocolate more appealing by making it more locally adapted and eventually cheaper.
  • Other Chinese brands, like Nibo and Saturn Bird, are also experimenting with premium chocolate and even cacao cultivation in southern China.
  • Despite weak consumer confidence, the segment suggests a real domestic chocolatier industry may be emerging.

Main Takeaways

  • The AfD’s possible victory in Saxony-Anhalt would be a major test of Germany’s postwar political norms and could reshape the far-right’s place in government.
  • Palantir’s rise in Britain shows how public institutions increasingly depend on powerful data platforms, even amid concerns about politics, sovereignty, and lock-in.
  • China’s chocolate market is small but evolving, with local brands trying to create demand by adapting chocolate to Chinese tastes and supply chains.