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AfD Surges in Saxony-Anhalt; CDU Mayor Defects to Far-Right

The political landscape in Saxony-Anhalt is dominated by the surging support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of upcoming state elections. Sven Schulze, the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, is actively working to prevent an AfD-led government amidst uncertain approval ratings. A significant development saw Bernd Prange, a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) mayor, publicly donate to the AfD and encourage voters to support the party, challenging the traditional political "firewall" against the far-right.

This political shift extends beyond Saxony-Anhalt, with an exclusive poll for the Berlin election indicating the Left party in the lead, while the CDU and AfD are neck and neck. In broader national news, Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius is preparing the German arms industry for potential wartime scenarios, focusing on securing reserve capacities for ammunition production.

Meanwhile, other domestic stories include calls for the complete withdrawal of Jens Spahn, a member of the Bundestag, from parliament following a surrogacy affair, and discussions around a planned reform to abolish minijobs. Concerns over the economic impact of heat and drought on crop losses, leading to potential price increases, also persist.

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AfD's Rise and Political Shifts in Saxony-Anhalt

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is showing strong polling numbers in Saxony-Anhalt, with its lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, potentially becoming the state's first AfD Minister-President. Minister-President Sven Schulze (CDU) is actively trying to prevent an AfD-led government, but a CDU mayor, Bernd Prange, has openly donated to the AfD and urged voters to support the party, signaling a breach in the established political resistance against the far-right.

CDU Under Scrutiny; Jens Spahn Faces Calls for Resignation

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is facing internal and external pressure, with a commentary suggesting the party is abandoning Germans to their fate. A local CDU association from Jens Spahn's home region is demanding his complete withdrawal from the Bundestag following a surrogacy affair.

Economic Concerns: Deindustrialization, Minijobs, and Rising Prices

Germany is facing concerns about deindustrialization due to unfair measures and a potential shift in its relationship with China. Additionally, a planned reform to abolish minijobs could significantly impact various economic sectors, and crop losses from heat and drought are expected to lead to price increases for goods.

New Evidence in Fabian Murder Case

An expert has identified a "conspicuous and in need of explanation" piece of evidence in the Fabian murder case, suggesting that an upcoming witness statement could be particularly damaging.

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