Tobias Rausch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been elected president of Saxony-Anhalt’s state parliament, marking the first time the party has held such a position in Germany.
Rausch wins 48 votes
Rausch, 35, secured 48 votes in the first round of voting at the state parliament in Magdeburg. A total of 29 lawmakers voted against him, while five abstained. Nine lawmakers from outside the AfD also backed his candidacy.
The result came after the AfD won the Saxony-Anhalt election on 6 September with 43.8% of the vote. The party holds 39 of the parliament’s 83 seats, making it the largest parliamentary group but leaving it three seats short of an absolute majority.
The five-member Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) had announced its support for Rausch ahead of the vote. The final result also included support from lawmakers outside the two parties.
A first for the AfD
The election gives the AfD its first state parliament presidency in Germany. The role includes chairing plenary sessions, overseeing the parliamentary administration and leading the council of elders.
The AfD’s Saxony-Anhalt branch has been classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist organisation by the state’s domestic intelligence agency, according to the supplied report.
Rausch has described himself as pragmatic and said parliamentary debate should be tough on substance while remaining fair to individuals.
AfD still short of state government
Rausch’s election does not determine who will lead the state government.
AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund is seeking to become minister-president in a vote expected in December. He needs at least 42 votes, meaning the party would need support beyond its 39 seats. Reuters reported that the AfD has so far struggled to secure the additional backing needed to form a state government.
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