The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has moved to take the presidency of a German State parliament for the first time, as the newly elected Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt holds its opening sitting in Magdeburg on October 6.
The party won 43.8 per cent of the vote in the eastern State on September 6, the best result in its history, and holds 39 of the 83 seats in the chamber.
As the largest group, the AfD has the sole right to propose a candidate in the first ballot. It has nominated Tobias Rausch, a member of the Landtag since 2016.
An absolute majority of 42 votes is needed. The five members of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which entered the Landtag for the first time in September, have said they will back Rausch, taking the total to 44.
The CDU, cut to 15 seats, has indicated it would not stand in the way of the nomination. Its State leader Sven Schulze pointed out though that secret ballots did not always follow announced intentions.
The post is more than ceremonial. The president is the parliament’s most senior representative, directs its administration and swears in the Minister-President.
The AfD is also seeking a further seat on the Landtag presidium, a claim that has been contested by the other groups. Deputies will take their places under a new seating plan that moves the party from the right of the chamber to the centre.
Saxony-Anhalt’s domestic intelligence service has classified the State AfD branch as confirmed right-wing extremist since 2023. Civil society alliances called protests outside the building in Magdeburg.
Wagenknecht has argued for months that the so-called firewall against the AfD has failed and should be dismantled, and that her party would vote on the substance of each measure regardless of who else supported it.
The BSW has said the presidency belongs to the largest group as a matter of parliamentary custom. It has nonetheless ruled out a coalition with the AfD.
Government formation remains unresolved. Ulrich Siegmund, who led the AfD campaign, said he would stand for election as Minister-President in December, although he has no secured majority and the BSW said it would abstain.
Under the State constitution, a candidate who wins the most votes cast prevails from the third ballot, with abstentions not counted. Siegmund said he would not seek a conventional minority government and has raised the prospect of a fresh election if the process stalls.
Schulze remains in office in a caretaker capacity. The constitution sets no deadline for electing his successor.
