AfD's Tobias Rausch Elected First Far-Right State Parliament President in Germany Since WWII
On October 6, 2026, the newly elected Saxony-Anhalt state parliament in Magdeburg elected AfD politician Tobias Rausch as its president, the first time a far-right party has held the post in a German state parliament since World War Two. Rausch won with 48 votes, four more than the combined AfD and BSW total, with support from five BSW MPs and four unidentified MPs. The AfD's Hans-Thomas Tillschneider was subsequently elected vice president. The elections broke Germany's post-war political firewall against the far right, drawing sharp criticism from SPD, Greens, and Left parties, and sparking protests outside the parliament building.
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BSW accused of crossing line by helping elect first AfD state parliament president in Germany
This opinion piece by Timo Reinfrank, published on taz.de on October 6, 2026, criticizes the BSW party for voting to elect Tobias Rausch of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as the first AfD president of a German state parliament (Landtag) in Saxony-Anhalt. The author argues that while democratic parties must engage with the AfD in parliamentary procedures, the BSW crossed a line by actively helping a right-wing extremist gain a position of power that the AfD could not achieve on its own. The Landtag president role is described as not merely symbolic, as it controls session leadership, speaking times, and house rights, which could be used as a political tool. The author warns that this event in Magdeburg could become a model for other states and the federal level. The piece also calls on the CDU to demonstrate its commitment to distancing itself from the AfD during upcoming government formation, noting that alternatives exist as seen in Thuringia and Saxony.
Read sourceAfD candidate elected speaker of German regional parliament for first time since WWII
Tobias Rausch, a candidate from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), has been elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament, marking the first time a far-right party has held the post since World War Two. The election took place during the parliament's inaugural session following the AfD's decisive victory in last month's state election, where it fell three seats short of a majority. Rausch won the vote comfortably with the backing of nine MPs from other parties, including five from the hard-left BSW and four unidentified MPs, sparking speculation that some members of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU may have broken party ranks. The Greens party leader Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz called the result a 'watershed moment' and said 'a line has been crossed.' Rausch, a trained estate agent and close confidant of local AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund, rejected the post-war political firewall against the far right, stating 'the days of political firewalls should be a thing of the past.' The role is largely symbolic but includes chairing debates and controlling access to the parliament building. More than 300 protesters demonstrated outside, holding signs reading 'Never again is now.' Siegmund's bid to become state premier in December remains uncertain, as the BSW has refused to enter a coalition with the AfD.
Read sourceAfD Wins Vice President Post in Saxony-Anhalt Parliament as Hans-Thomas Tillschneider Elected
On October 6, 2026, the newly elected parliament of Saxony-Anhalt convened for its first session in Magdeburg. In a historic first for Germany, AfD politician Tobias Rausch was elected as President of the State Parliament (Landtagspräsident) with 48 votes, four more than the combined total of the AfD and BSW parties. Subsequently, the AfD's Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, described as a right-wing figure with ties to Russia, was elected as Vice President with 44 votes. The elections drew sharp criticism from the SPD, Greens, and Left parties. Left co-leader Luigi Pantisano alleged a 'blue-black cartel' involving the CDU, suggesting CDU members provided the extra votes for Rausch. The Greens warned of defending freedom and minority rights against a potential AfD takeover. The session was briefly interrupted for the SPD to discuss its candidate for a second vice president position. The AfD also sought to change parliamentary rules to allow its party to nominate candidates for vice president posts, a move previously restricted.
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AfD calls election of its candidate for state parliament president a 'caesura' in Saxony-Anhalt
The newly elected state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt convened for its first session on October 6, 2026, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) nominating Tobias Rausch as its candidate for state parliament president. If elected, Rausch would become the first AfD politician to hold this office in a German state parliament. The AfD's parliamentary director Bernd Baumann described the potential election as a 'caesura,' arguing that other parties had previously denied the AfD positions it was entitled to. Rausch pledged to act in a non-partisan manner, stating his principle would be 'hard in the matter, but fair in the person.' The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) indicated it would support the AfD candidate, with BSW vice-chair Christian Leye declaring the 'firewall' against the AfD had failed. However, the BSW ruled out supporting an AfD candidate for minister-president. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) announced its abstention from the vote. Protests were held outside the parliament building. The session was expected to be interrupted after the presidential election to discuss changes to the rules of procedure, as the AfD and BSW seek to allow the AfD to also hold a vice-presidential post.
Read sourceLeft-wing interim president opens Saxony-Anhalt parliament session, cites 'Antifa clause' and 'Spiderman'
The newly elected state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt convened for its constituent session in Magdeburg on October 6, 2026. The session was opened by Eva von Angern (Left Party), the oldest member serving as interim president. In her opening speech, von Angern criticized the AfD's behavior as 'power-drunk,' citing demands for extra committee seats and relocating other factions. She quoted Article 37a of the state constitution, calling it the 'Antifa clause,' which obligates state authorities to prevent the revival of Nazi ideology and racist activities. She also quoted 'Spiderman' ('With great power comes great responsibility'), a line given to her by her son. The AfD, which won nearly 44% of the vote, nominated Tobias Rausch for the position of Landtag president, a first for the party. Rausch pledged to be nonpartisan and fair. The BSW party indicated it would support the AfD's candidate for president but not for minister-president. Protests were held outside the parliament building.
Read sourceFirst AfD State Parliament President: Saxony-Anhalt Session Begins Today
The newly elected state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt convenes for its inaugural session in Magdeburg on October 6, 2026. The main agenda item is the election of a new state parliament president. The AfD, as the strongest parliamentary group, has nominated Tobias Rausch, who is expected to become the first AfD politician to hold this office. The BSW party has announced it will support the AfD candidate, giving the two parties a combined 44 seats, above the absolute majority threshold of 42. CDU, SPD, Linke, and Greens together hold 39 seats. CDU parliamentary group leader Sven Schulze has ruled out votes from his party for the AfD candidate, stating the CDU will abstain in the secret ballot. BSW Vice Chairman Christian Leye defended the support, arguing the 'firewall' against the AfD has failed and that a party with nearly 44% of the vote should hold the presidency. He ruled out supporting an AfD candidate for minister-president. The session will also include elections for vice-presidents, with candidates from AfD, CDU, and SPD. Protests have been called outside the parliament building.
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