35-year-old businessman Tobias Rausch, a member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), was elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on Tuesday, a first for a far-right politician in Germany since World War II. Rausch secured 48 of 82 votes, with support from at least four legislators outside the far-right and far-left blocs, according to Israeli media reports.
Tobias Rausch (35), a businessman from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), was elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on Tuesday, securing 48 of 82 votes. The result marks the first time since World War II that a far-right politician holds a state parliamentary presidency in Germany.
The election follows the AfD's historic performance in the Saxony-Anhalt state election a month ago, where the party won 44.5% of the vote and 39 seats — a result The Zioneer reported at the time. The party fell just three seats short of an absolute majority but faced a political deadlock as mainstream parties ruled out cooperation.
Rausch's election as speaker required support beyond his party's 39 seats. At least four legislators from outside the far-right and far-left blocs voted in his favor, according to Israeli media. The development highlights the AfD's growing institutional influence despite the ongoing 'cordon sanitaire' maintained by mainstream parties.
No coalition negotiations have been announced since the September election. The election of a speaker from the AfD is a procedural step that does not automatically translate into governance power.
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