BSW and AfD Dinner in Sachsen-Anhalt Sparks Internal Crisis

A joint dinner attended by members of the BSW (Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht) and the AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt has triggered a significant internal crisis within the BSW party. As of October 12, 2026, party founder Sahra Wagenknecht has publicly condemned the meeting, stating that while parliamentary dialogue is necessary, social dinners are entirely inappropriate.

What happened at the event?

The controversy stems from an event held in Magdeburg to mark the opening of a new TV studio by the magazine Compact. Attendees included members of the BSW Landtag faction and several AfD politicians, notably the newly elected Landtag President Tobias Rausch and AfD faction leader Oliver Kirchner. Photographs circulating on social media show BSW and AfD representatives interacting at the gathering.

Why is this trending in Germany?

The search interest in Sachsen-Anhalt is driven by the political fallout within the BSW, as high-ranking members openly clash over the party's relationship with the AfD. The incident follows the BSW's support for the election of an AfD politician as Landtag President, a move that has intensified public and internal scrutiny of the party's strategic direction.

What is confirmed and what is not

It is confirmed that Sahra Wagenknecht has criticized the attendance of her party colleagues at the dinner. Reports indicate that BSW faction leader Thomas Schulze addressed the crowd and expressed a commitment to working with the AfD on specific legislative goals, such as a motion to stop German arms deliveries to Ukraine. Whether these events will lead to formal disciplinary actions or further departures from the BSW, such as the potential exit mentioned by Klaus Ernst, remains to be seen and is not confirmed at this time.