Jan Palmowski says far-right government in German state could have major ramification for universities

Jan Palmowski, Secretary General of The Guild, has expressed concern and warned of the consequences of the far-right party AfD's victory in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt on 06/09/2026.

"My thoughts go out particularly to its minorities, including Jews, immigrants and refugees, because I fear the public climate there will become more hostile towards them, as things will become sayable in the public domain that currently would not be acceptable," Jan Palmowski, Secretary General at The Guild, said on 07/09.

If the AfD manages to form a state government (the first far-right government in post war Germany), Palmowski foresees "major ramifications for universities", as education, culture and universities are state competencies.

Saxony-Anhalt has two important universities: the Martin Luther…