Sven Schulze, the center-right CDU’s lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, is often seen as a pragmatic and low-profile conservative politician.

A former engineer, MEP and regional minister, he entered the election campaign defending the CDU’s strict non-cooperation stance toward the far-right AfD, while arguing that migrants are needed in sectors such as healthcare and agriculture.

Facing voter frustration after decades of conservative-led governments, Schulze has sought to distance himself from Berlin, including by opposing parts of a pension reform plan.

At the same time, he has maintained support for Ukraine and reiterated his pledge not to include AfD or Left Party members in his cabinet.

As the AfD gained momentum, the future of the CDU’s political “firewall” has emerged as a key question of the campaign.