Is Ulrich Siegmund the most dangerous man in Germany?

In this episode of Today in Focus, host Helen Pidd dives into the provocative rise of Ulrich Siegmund, the lead candidate for the far-right AfD party, recently dubbed the 'most dangerous man in Germany' by Der Spiegel. The episode discusses Siegmund's appeal, particularly among disillusioned voters in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD's polling has surged to 42%. He has embraced the provocative label by autographing copies of the magazine cover and leveraging social media, especially TikTok, to connect with younger voters. The conversation also highlights the historical context of the elections, where the AfD could potentially become the largest party and possibly form a government, a scenario that sparks fears of a significant shift in German politics. Key concerns are raised about the party's extreme policies, including 'remigration' and ties to nationalist sentiments, as well as their potential to gain traction in western Germany. Experts warn about the broader implications for German democracy as mainstream parties struggle to counteract the far-right's rising influence. The episode concludes with insights into the current political climate and future projections for the AfD's electoral strategies.