AfD's Ulrich Siegmund Discusses Coffee in Podcast Ahead of Saxony-Anhalt Election

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's top candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, spent four hours on the podcast 'Ben Ungeskriptet' with host Ben Berndt, but surprisingly, the conversation focused little on politics. Instead, after about 30 minutes, Siegmund offered a peculiar tip for coffee lovers: 'One shouldn't drink coffee too hot, as the aromas don't come through.' This lighthearted moment contrasts with the usual political discourse, especially as Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, has also been experimenting with a more emotional communication style. The podcast, which reaches a million-strong audience, is described as a political-journalistic format, though Berndt rejects the label 'journalist'—his production company is registered under 'journalism' in the commercial register. The episode suggests a potential shift in the AfD's communication strategy, as the party seeks to broaden its appeal beyond hardcore political topics. The article, published in 'Der Freitag', analyzes this development in the context of the upcoming state election.