Germany's far-right AfD makes history again in Saxony-Anhalt
Tobias Rausch, a 35-year-old AfD politician, was elected speaker of Saxony-Anhalt’s state parliament. The vote took place at the legislature’s opening session in Magdeburg.
Rausch received 48 votes, nine more than the AfD’s 39 seats. The appointment is the first since World War II in which a German state parliament has selected a member of a party classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency.
Before the session, around 500 people protested in the city, calling for opposition to fascism and cooperation with the far right. Eva von Angern of the Left Party opened proceedings and spoke about human dignity and the importance of respecting others.
Rausch has drawn national attention over allegations of nepotism involving AfD politicians. He acknowledged hiring several friends from his soccer club for his parliamentary office, but his party group still put him forward for speaker.
Rausch said he would represent all parliamentary groups and uphold the rules. Some lawmakers remain wary, as the AfD prepares to exert greater influence in the legislature.
Key points
- Rausch won the speakership with 48 votes, nine beyond the AfD’s seat count.
- The appointment is unprecedented for a German state parliament since World War II.
- Rausch pledged to serve all parliamentary groups, though some lawmakers remain skeptical.