Germany’s hard-right AfD party wants arms factory in their state that can provide ‘appropriate resources’ to deport immigrants
A senior figure in Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has said the party would welcome weapons manufacturing in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, arguing the output could supply resources for mass deportation and repatriation campaigns. Ulrich Siegmund, likely to become the state's next leader after the AfD's historic election result, made the comments while discussing a proposed defence industry investment in the city of Sangerhausen, framing arms production as serving national security as well as the party's immigration agenda.
Local broadcaster MDR reported that Israeli firm Elbit Systems is in talks to build a components plant in Sangerhausen, potentially creating up to 400 jobs, though city officials say no complete weapons systems, drones or artillery shells would be made there. Elbit Systems Deutschland said it regularly reviews expansion opportunities in Germany but has not yet chosen any site. The AfD, which fell just short of an outright majority and has pledged deportations "from the first minute" alongside citizen patrols and segregated classrooms for refugee children, said it would scrutinise the project closely. Any support could also complicate coalition talks with the left-wing populist BSW, the only party open to working with the AfD, which has campaigned against the Sangerhausen scheme.
- AfD leader links state arms plant to future deportation campaigns
- Elbit Systems in talks to build components factory in Sangerhausen
- Project could strain AfD's talks with potential coalition partner BSW
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A senior AfD figure in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt has suggested that a planned weapons factory in his state could help supply resources for the party's plans to deport migrants. The AfD, a far-right party, recently won a historic share of the vote in the state and is expected to lead the next government there, though it needs a coalition partner to govern.
The comments relate to a proposed plant in the city of Sangerhausen, reportedly linked to Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems, which could bring hundreds of jobs to the area. Local officials say the site would only make components, not complete weapons, and the company itself says no location has been chosen yet.
The story matters because it shows how a party with a hardline anti-immigration platform, including pledges for rapid deportations, might use its growing regional power to shape industrial and defence decisions. It could also affect delicate coalition talks with the BSW, a left-wing populist party that is the AfD's only realistic partner in government but has opposed the factory plan.
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