AfD’s Ulrich Siegmund casts vote in key German state election

Alternative for Germany (AfD) candidate Ulrich Siegmund cast his ballot Sunday in Saxony-Anhalt’s state election, arriving at the polling station in his hometown of Tangermünde with his wife Julia.

Supporters gathered outside the polling station to cheer Siegmund as he arrived on a motorcycle and later posed for selfies with members of the crowd.

The election has drawn national attention as the AfD seeks its strongest result yet and a potential path to leading a state government. Siegmund has said he would seek the governor’s post only if the party wins an absolute majority.

After voting, Siegmund told supporters that he saw a “spirit of optimism” around the election and called for Germany to overcome political divisions.