Elections in Saxony-Anhalt, drones in Leipzig, 25 years of the SCO, and the principles of the United Nations Charter

by Karl-Jürgen Müller

The following text attempts to establish a connection between the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, the official German reactions to the events at Leipzig Airport, the 25^th annual meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 31 August and 1 September, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

On 6 September, the Alternative for Germany more than doubled its share of the vote in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and now stands at almost 44 per cent. The CDU, the SPD, and the Greens together account for a smaller share of the vote, about 35 per cent. The new state parliament will also include Die Linke, with 8.6 per cent, and the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance, BSW, with 5.3 per cent. Forming a government will be difficult, as neither the AfD nor the other parties have a majority in the state parliament without the BSW. It is not yet clear how the BSW will act. So far, the Wagenknecht alliance has rejected the election of either an AfD or a CDU politician as Minister-President, but it has declared itself willing to vote alongside the AfD on specific issues if this enables the BSW to achieve its political demands.
  The election result confirms that voters in Saxony-Anhalt – and not only there – no longer agree with the policies of the parties that have hitherto formed the federal and state governments. This is also confirmed by poll results conducted in parallel with the state elections: Almost 90 per cent of those surveyed are dissatisfied with the federal government’s policies, whilst Chancellor Merz now has an approval rating of just 9 per cent. However, the election result also shows that a growing number of citizens are no longer following the mainstream narrative. Of course, one can also criticise the AfD’s political positions. But the unrealistic equation of the AfD with the National Socialists no longer holds water. Fewer and fewer people believe the propaganda narrative portraying the AfD as a highly dangerous far-right party and the CDU, SPD, and others as defenders of fundamental and human rights. The failings of these parties and their departure from a politics of reason and humanity are all too obvious. The majority do not want those with differing views to be demonised, but seek, rather, a free discussion of the issues and a resolution of practical problems – and there are plenty of these. Yet the initial reactions of the AfD’s opponents on election night showed no sign of serious reflection, but rather an almost reflexive, aggressive reliance on clichés. One might also say: In the face of a looming loss of power, or due to ideological blindness, these parties will stop at nothing.
  Which brings us to the German reactions to the events at Leipzig Airport. The active desire for peace seems to be stronger in eastern Germany than in the west of the country. In the east, there is also more criticism of the image of Russia as the enemy. Many people recognise that the war hysteria of official Germany is a vicious circle that cannot end well. During the election campaign, the AfD and BSW in Saxony-Anhalt advocated a different approach to Russia: rebuilding good-neighbourly relations with the aim of peace, but also in the material interests of a Germany whose economic situation is deteriorating. The official German responses to the events at Leipzig Airport are unconvincing; no evidence of Russian involvement has been presented to the public. Instead, the official German responses are consistent with a long-term policy of escalation against Russia – involving massive rearmament and an escalation on the “home front” as well. But are Germans really expected to accept without protest that more than 1 trillion Euro (on a debt basis) is being spent on a military build-up, whilst at the same time the country’s deindustrialisation is advancing and the German social welfare system is to be curtailed under the guise of “reform”?
  German politics has taken the wrong turn at crucial junctures and is in danger of derailing. It was not without reason that the old Federal Republic was regarded for decades as a country of stability and a capacity for reform. All of that has been squandered in recent decades – and the succession of federal governments has resulted in a situation that is even worse.
  Germany is not alone in this situation in the “West.” Similar trends can be observed in all Western countries. Emmanuel Todd’sThe Decline of the West: Economy, Culture and Religion in Free Fall, is just one of many serious examinations of the subject. The fact that Donald Trump has had his portrait, with a grim expression, printed on a limited-edition US passport to mark the 250^th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence shows just how far this decline has progressed: It is sliding into megalomaniacal grotesqueness.
  Which brings us to the third topic: The SCO conference in its 25^th year since its foundation. The SCO’s member states are Belarus, the People’s Republic of China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In addition, there are states with observer status, dialogue partners, and permanent guest participants. This year, heads of state and government from 21 countries were represented in Bishkek. The SCO member states do not suggest a paradise on earth. Some of the SCO’s projects are progressing only slowly.
  Naturally, the quite diverse member states face domestic problems and in their relations with one another. However, there is a key difference compared with Western states: The states of the SCO recognise the reality of a multipolar world and the equality of different civilisations, and are working together to make progress in numerous important policy areas – including the development of concepts for a common security architecture in Central Asia. This is evident from the course of the conference, from the numerous bilateral talks held during the conference, and from the comprehensive final declaration.¹ (See box on p. 20.) By clearly condemning the war of aggression waged by the US and Israel against Iran – which contravenes international law – and the unilateral sanctions imposed by the US and the EU, the SCO is guided by international law. It is working collectively to find a path towards a world order that realises what was promised in the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter more than 80 years ago and enshrined in the Preamble and in Articles 1 and 2 of the Charter. (See box on p. 21.)
  None of this is outdated; it is all still worth striving for. And it is a blessing – not only for the SCO member states – that they invoke these principles and commit to them. If we in the West had governments that still took this seriously, or at least began to do so, then most of the turmoil of recent decades could have been avoided – including in Germany. •

¹ The SCO has made the Bishkek Declaration available only in Russian and Chinese (via https://www.facebook.com/scobeijing/posts/on-september-1-2026-the-text-of-the-bishkek-declaration-was-published-in-russian/1387880753522881/). An English-language Chinese website has published an English translation (https://socialistchina.org/2026/09/03/sco-adopts-bishkek-declaration-more-countries-can-now-be-expected-to-explore-this-alternative-path/).

The 25th anniversary Bishkek Declaration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (Excerpt)

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the leaders of member states convened a meeting of the Council of Heads of State to reaffirm their commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the SCO Charter, further enhance good-neighbourliness and friendship, carry out comprehensive and efficient cooperation, and issued the following declaration: […]
  Member states emphasised that the SCO is a non-military-political group that does not target any country or international organisation, and operates on the principles of openness, non-interference in internal affairs, equality, and mutual respect.[…]
  Member states particularly emphasised that to maintain peace, promote sustainable development, and advance cultural cooperation, it is crucial for the SCO to strengthen dialogue with the United Nations and its specialised agencies. […]
  Member states pointed out that global geopolitics are undergoing profound evolution, with profound changes in economic, social, and technological development. Currently, the international situation remains complex, with ongoing conflicts, prominent challenges in energy and food security, global market volatility, and increasingly severe climate change conditions.
  Member states reaffirm their commitment to always uphold the recognised principles and norms of international law established in the UN Charter, and to strengthen the United Nations’ role in safeguarding international peace and security, achieving sustainable development, and building a more representative, democratic, and just multipolar world. Member states are committed to making greater contributions to improving the international system. […]
  Member states will deepen cooperation within the SCO framework to lay the foundation for building an equal and indivisible security in the Eurasian region. […]
  Member states oppose grouping and adversarial approaches to resolving international and regional issues, and advocate for the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes between nations. […]
  Member states reiterated that promoting the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for humanity based on mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation, as well as conducting dialogue based on the concept of “One Earth, One Home, One Future,” is of great practical significance. […]
  Member states reiterate that unilaterally and unconditionally strengthening the global missile defence system by individual countries or groups of countries endangers international security and stability and believes that seeking their own security at the expense of other countries is unacceptable.
  Member states expressed concern over the growing threats in the field of information security and firmly opposed the militarisation of information and communication technology, as well as threats to the security of critical information infrastructure. […]
  Member states emphasised the need to ensure that AI technology is used safely and responsibly, and that the misuse of AI technology is not permitted to deliberately endanger human life and health, nor to harm national sovereignty, security, or territorial integrity. […]
  As a member of the SCO and a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT, July 1, 1968), [member states] advocate adherence to the treaty’s provisions, comprehensively and in a balanced way promoting the implementation of its purposes and principles, advancing the global nuclear disarmament process, consolidating the global nuclear non-proliferation system, and stressing that researching, producing, and utilising nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is an inalienable right of all countries and that equal and sustainable mutually beneficial international cooperation should be carried out without discrimination. Member states emphasised that restrictive measures that violate international law should not be implemented in this area. […]
  Member states expressed serious concern over developments in the Middle East and around the Islamic Republic of Iran, reiterating the SCO’s condemnation of military strikes on Iranian territory, which have caused heavy civilian casualties and severe economic damage.
  Such actions violate the UN Charter and the principles and norms of international law, posing serious risks to world peace, security, and stability.
  Member states extend their sincere condolences to the Iranian government and people regarding the unfortunate death of Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also extend heartfelt sympathies to the families of other victims.
  Member states reiterated their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, advocated resolving the conflict through political and diplomatic means, and welcomed all efforts conducive to de-escalating regional tensions.
  Member states pointed out that only by comprehensively and justly resolving the Palestinian issue can peace and stability be achieved in the Middle East. […]
  Member states believe that cooperation among defence departments should be deepened, regular “Peace Mission” joint counterterrorism exercises continued, and other pragmatic cooperation in the defence field should be carried out to consolidate peace and security in the SCO region.
  Member states support the implementation of the “Roadmap for Strengthening Military Cooperation in the Defence Sector of SCO Member States,” consider enhancing mutual trust and transparency of great significance, and will continue consultations on the “Agreement on Confidence-Building Measures in the Military Sector of SCO Member States”.
  Member states will adhere to the principle of the rule of law, respect the legal systems of each country, further deepen legal and judicial cooperation, and enhance exchanges and dialogue among the highest courts, supreme procuratorates, and judicial departments of all countries. […]
  Member states pointed out that the SCO region plays a leading role in the world economy and ensuring global sustainable development, advocates further reform and improvement of the global economic governance system, and will firmly uphold and strengthen an open, transparent, fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system based on internationally recognised principles and rules, promote world economic development, ensure fair market access, and provide special and differential treatment for developing countries.
  Member states oppose unilateral coercive measures that violate the UN Charter, other international legal norms, and WTO principles and rules. Such practices undermine international security in areas such as food, energy, and humanitarian areas, and impact the global economy. […]
  The Republic of Belarus, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan reaffirmed their support for the People’s Republic of China’s joint construction of the Belt and Road initiative, affirming the efforts of all parties to jointly implement the initiative, including promoting the alignment of the Belt and Road with the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union. […]
  Member states support reforming international financial institutions to increase the representation and voice of developing countries in the governing bodies of international financial institutions such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund.
  Member states will continue pragmatic dialogue on strengthening financial cooperation within the framework of the SCO Interbank Consortium. Member states advocate for promptly resolving the issue of Iranian authorised banks joining the SCO interbank consortium. […]
  Member states reaffirm the universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interconnectedness of human rights, respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, oppose double standards on human rights issues, and oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of protecting human rights. […]
  Member states emphasised that the SCO region is the birthplace of ancient civilisations, world achievements, and traditional religious beliefs, a treasure trove of outstanding cultural and scientific achievements and rich spiritual heritage of the peoples of member states, and these achievements have become an inseparable part of humanity’s shared historical wealth. […]
  Member states emphasised the need to engage in inter-civilisational and cross-cultural dialogue, promote mutual respect and inclusiveness among peoples of all countries, and protect and promote the rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage. […]
  Member states will continue to expand cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding through people-to-people diplomacy, and carry out productive cooperation.
  Bishkek, 1 September 2026

Quelle: https://socialistchina.org/2026/09/03/sco-adopts-bishkek-declaration-more-countries-can-now-be-expected-to-explore-this-alternative-path/.

This is how the Charter of the United Nations begins

“We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, and for these ends to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish theses aims.
Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations.

Article 1

The Purposes of the United Nations are:

To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

Article 2

The Organization and its Members, in pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article 1, shall act in accordance with the following Principles.

The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.
All Members, in order to ensure to all of them the rights and benefits resulting from membership, shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the present Charter.
All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.
All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
All Members shall give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the present Charter, and shall refrain from giving assistance to any state against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action.
The Organization shall ensure that states which are not Members of the United Nations act in accordance with these Principles so far as may be necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter Vll.”