AfD and BSW pass Saxony-Anhalt motion to end German aid to Ukraine
On 14 October the AfD and BSW voted together in Saxony-Anhalt's state parliament for a symbolic motion calling for an end to German aid to Ukraine and for peace talks with Russia. It has no legal effect, but it comes during talks on forming a state government.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2On Wednesday 14 October 2026 the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) voted together in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament for a motion calling for an end to German military support for Ukraine. The Straits TimesRC “joined forces on Wednesday to pass a symbolic motion in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt calling for an end to Berlin's military support for Ukraine” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Deutsche WelleN “The motion was passed during a special parliamentary session with the votes of the far-right populist Alternative for Germany (AfD)” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗ Centre · 1Deutsche Welle reports that the motion demands an end to all financial and military aid and urges state premier Sven Schulze (CDU) to advocate in the Bundesrat for peace negotiations with Russia. Deutsche WelleN “Both parties are urging Saxony-Anhalt's current state premier Sven Schulze of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), to advocate in the Bundesrat” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗ Mixed · 2Both outlets say the motion has no practical effect, because state parliaments have no role in foreign policy. The Straits TimesRC “The motion has no practical effect, as state parliaments have no role in foreign policy.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Deutsche WelleN “the motion will have no direct impact on Germany's Ukraine policy” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗
Mixed · 2BSW legislator Claudia Wittig said it was the premier's responsibility to "use every available avenue to work for peace", and AfD state leader Ulrich Siegmund called the war, alongside uncontrolled migration, "one of the biggest problems of our time". Deutsche WelleN “"It is your responsibility to finally use every available avenue to work for peace."” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗ The Straits TimesRC “one of the biggest problems of our time," Siegmund said in the debate” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Mixed · 2All other parties criticised the proposal; Reuters says they denounced the debate as a "farce", and CDU lawmaker Stefan Ruland said that demanding a ceasefire only from the attacked side "is not calling for peace, but for capitulation". Deutsche WelleN “"Anyone who demands a ceasefire only from the side that has been attacked is not calling for peace, but for capitulation," said CDU lawmaker Stefan Ruland.” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗ The Straits TimesRC “which other parties denounced as a "farce"” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Mixed · 2The vote came amid talks on forming a new state government. The AfD won the September 2026 election with just under 44% of the vote, short of an absolute majority. Deutsche WelleN “securing just under 44% of the vote. However, it fell short of an absolute majority” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗ The Straits TimesRC “falling just short of a first absolute majority at state level” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Mixed · 2The other parties have ruled out cooperating with the AfD, which the state's security authorities classify as "confirmed right-wing extremist". DW says the BSW is the only party willing to hold formal government talks with it. Deutsche WelleN “The BSW, which narrowly secured representation in the state parliament, is the only party willing to hold formal talks with the AfD on forming a government.” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗ The Straits TimesRC “most other parties in parliament have ruled out joining a coalition under the so-called "firewall" policy” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Right · 1Reuters says Siegmund intends to seek confirmation as state premier by the end of the year. It adds that the BSW does not want a formal coalition with the AfD but wants to work with it, and quotes Sahra Wagenknecht as saying "The firewall has failed" and that the BSW will pursue "shifting majorities". The Straits TimesRC “"The firewall has failed," party founder Sahra Wagenknecht told the news portal t-online.”“does not want to join a formal coalition with the AfD” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Centre · 1DW reports that AfD and BSW representatives attended a "confidence-building dinner" in Saxony-Anhalt in early October, hosted by Compact editor Jürgen Elsässer, who has long promoted a left-right "Querfront" alliance. Deutsche WelleN “representatives of the AfD and BSW met in Saxony-Anhalt for what was described as a confidence-building dinner”“has for years promoted the idea of a so-called "cross-front" alliance (Querfront)” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗
Centre · 1Experts interviewed by DW differ on how to label the cooperation. Political scientist Armin Pfahl-Traughber cites a shared rejection of the establishment, a pro-Putin stance and criticism of support for Ukraine, but doubts it is a Querfront because he is unsure the BSW is still left-wing. Historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk calls both parties "mouthpieces for the Kremlin" and a threat to democracy, and warns that solidarity with Ukraine will erode. Deutsche WelleN “"Their common ground lies in their rejection of the political establishment, their pro-Putin stance, and their criticism of Germany's support for Ukraine,"”“Both are mouthpieces for the Kremlin” Read at Deutsche Welle ↗ Right · 1Reuters adds that the AfD and BSW say Germany's support for Kyiv prolongs the war and that the money would be better spent at home. The motion passed on the opening day of the Hamburg trial of a Ukrainian former officer charged with blowing up the Nord Stream pipeline. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government is Europe's biggest supplier of military aid to Kyiv. The Straits TimesRC “saying it was prolonging the war and the money would be better spent at home”“opening day of the trial in Hamburg of a Ukrainian former military officer charged with blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipeline” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- DW treats the vote as a sign of a deepening, possibly lasting AfD-BSW alliance and examines its ideological roots and historical parallels.
- Emphasis
- Expert warnings, the Querfront concept, pro-Russia positions and the early-October dinner.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Nord Stream trial or Siegmund's plan to seek the premiership by year-end.
- Charged language
- “pro-Russia alliance”“mouthpieces for the Kremlin”“capitulation”
- For example
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“Germany's far-right AfD forges a pro-Russia alliance with the BSW” — Deutsche Welle
“The BSW and the AfD are two sides of the same coin.” — Deutsche Welle
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Reuters copy carried by the Straits Times presents a short news report on a symbolic motion and what it means for forming an AfD-led government.
- Emphasis
- Government formation, Wagenknecht's 'firewall has failed' quote, and the Merz government's position on aid.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives little on the ideological debate, the early-October dinner or the expert views DW includes.
- Charged language
- “farce”“The firewall has failed”
- For example
-
“But it raised the prospect that the two parties could reach an agreement allowing AfD state leader Ulrich Siegmund to form a government.” — The Straits Times
What every side reports
- The AfD and BSW jointly passed the motion in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on 14 October 2026.
- The motion has no practical effect on German foreign policy.
- The AfD won the September 2026 state election just short of an absolute majority.
- Other parties have ruled out cooperating with the AfD.
Where accounts differ
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How to describe the BSW and the nature of the alliance
- Centre
- DW calls the BSW left-wing populist and quotes experts who doubt it is truly left-wing. It places the cooperation within a Querfront debate and calls it a pro-Russia alliance.
- Right
- Reuters, carried by the Straits Times, calls the BSW 'leftist' and describes the motion as a symbolic step that could enable an AfD-led government.
Alternative for Germany party
The AfD, through state leader Ulrich Siegmund, says the war and uncontrolled migration are among the biggest problems of our time. It holds that German support for Ukraine prolongs the war.
“one of the biggest problems of our time," Siegmund said in the debate” — The Straits Times
Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance party
The BSW urges the state premier to work for peace. Founder Sahra Wagenknecht says the firewall has failed and the party will pass policy through shifting majorities, without joining a formal coalition.
“"We will shape policy through shifting majorities and push through as many BSW positions as possible."” — The Straits Times
“"It is your responsibility to finally use every available avenue to work for peace."” — Deutsche Welle
Saxony-Anhalt place
The state parliament passed the motion, but the other parties oppose it and rule out cooperating with the AfD. The motion has no practical effect.
“The proposal drew sharp criticism from all other parties.” — Deutsche Welle
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Germany's far-right AfD forges a pro-Russia alliance with the BSW
Critical Analytical piece presenting the cooperation as a pro-Russia alliance and relying on experts who warn of a threat to democracy.
Right1 article
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The Straits TimesRC · · via Reuters
Germany's AfD and leftist BSW call for end to help for Ukraine
Neutral Reuters wire report focused on the symbolic motion and its implications for forming a government.
- 14 Oct 16:13 First Deutsche WelleN Germany's far-right AfD forges a pro-Russia alliance with the BSW
- 14 Oct 17:50 +1h 38m The Straits TimesRC Germany's AfD and leftist BSW call for end to help for Ukraine via Reuters
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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