Tobias Rausch has been elected as the speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt regional parliament, marking a significant moment in German politics as it is the first time a far-right party has held this position since World War Two. Rausch's election comes just a month after the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a notable victory in the state elections.
Election Details
Rausch, 35, secured the position with the support of nine MPs from other parties, despite the AfD falling three seats short of a majority in the recent elections. After the vote, Rausch stated,
“"The days of political firewalls should be a thing of the past,"
indicating a shift away from the post-war consensus that discouraged collaboration with far-right parties.
Reactions and Protests
The election of Rausch has sparked protests outside the parliament building in Magdeburg, where demonstrators held banners reading, "Never again is now." Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz, the leader of the regional Greens party, expressed her concerns, stating,
“"A line has been crossed"
with the election of a far-right speaker, calling it a watershed moment. She emphasized,
"We will not let ourselves be intimidated, and we will not sit by when rights are curtailed either here or for people in the state."
