World

Leif-Erik Holm leads the AfD into north-east Germany’s regional election

Herz — World Desk · 30 July 2026 at 10:29 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

Leif-Erik Holm, 55, will lead the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) into the state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. According to Handelsblatt, the party is polling at 36%, compared with 29% for the SPD of incumbent state premier Manuela Schwesig. The vote is scheduled for two weeks after Saxony-Anhalt’s election on September 6, 2026. Holm is considering either an AfD-only government or a coalition with the CDU. However, regional CDU leader Daniel Peters and the federal chancellor categorically rule out cooperation with the AfD.

Leif-Erik Holm, 55, is the AfD’s lead candidate in the state election.
The AfD is polling at 36%, compared with 29% for Manuela Schwesig’s SPD.
The vote is due two weeks after Saxony-Anhalt’s election on September 6, 2026.
CDU regional leader Daniel Peters rules out cooperation with the AfD.

What we know

Leif-Erik Holm, a 55-year-old former radio presenter, is leading the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) into the state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, according to Handelsblatt.

The AfD is polling at 36%, ahead of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of incumbent state premier Manuela Schwesig, which stands at 29%.

Schwesig remains popular, particularly among voters aged over 65. According to the available information, this reduces Holm’s chances of becoming state premier.

A meeting with about 40 supporters

About 40 supporters attended a public meeting with Holm at a nearly 800-year-old castle in Neustadt-Glewe.

During Holm’s previous appearance in the town, the group “Omas gegen rechts” (“Grandmothers against the right”) demonstrated outside the venue. No protest took place this time.

The election timetable

Saxony-Anhalt’s state election is scheduled for September 6, 2026. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is due to vote two weeks later.

September 6, 2026
State election scheduled in Saxony-Anhalt.
Two weeks after September 6, 2026
State election scheduled in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

According to the Handelsblatt article, the AfD could win an absolute majority in Saxony-Anhalt for the first time. Its lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, could therefore become the party’s first state premier.

Tino Chrupalla, the AfD’s federal co-chair, nevertheless considers the election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania more interesting than the contest in Saxony-Anhalt.

Possible outcomes after the vote

Holm is considering two outcomes: an AfD-only government or a coalition with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), whose regional lead candidate is Daniel Peters.

Peters and the federal chancellor categorically rule out cooperation with the AfD.

Holm believes an absolute majority would be possible only if the SPD’s support collapsed and both the Greens and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) failed to clear the 5% electoral threshold.