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Germany's AfD elects its first state parliament speaker since World War Two as CDU rebels help break the firewall

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026 · last updated 7 October 2026.

Tobias Rausch, whose election broke a post-war taboo against cooperation with the far right, declared that "the days of political firewalls should be a thing of the past.
Tobias Rausch, whose election broke a post-war taboo against cooperation with the far right, declared that "the days of political firewalls should be a thing of the past.

Tobias Rausch, 35, was elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on Tuesday with 48 votes — nine more than the AfD holds in seats — marking the first time a far-right politician has presided over a German parliamentary institution since 1945. The result was powered by five BSW left-wing MPs and four rebel CDU lawmakers who defied explicit instructions from Chancellor Friedrich Merz to abstain. Rausch declared afterwards that 'the days of political firewalls should be a thing of the past,' signalling the AfD's intent to dismantle the post-war consensus barring cooperation with the far right. His elevation sets up a December showdown when AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund will stand to become Germany's first far-right state premier since the war.

Rausch ranks constitutionally higher than the state prime minister, giving him power over parliamentary procedure and high-level official representation.

AfD won 44% of Saxony-Anhalt's vote last month; an AfD extremist wing figure, Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, was also elected Rausch's deputy on the same day.

'A line has been crossed,' said Saxony-Anhalt Green Party leader Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz, as around 500 protesters outside carried banners reading 'Never again is now.'

Moredw.comGermany's far-right AfD makes history again in Saxony-Anhaltbloomberg.comGerman Far Right Wins First Top Post as It Seeks to Lead State - Bloomberg.comalmayadeen.netGermany's AfD wins first state parliament speaker post - t.cotodoalicante.esSaxony-Anhalt elects AfDThe GuardianState parliament elects Germany’s first far-right speaker since second world warNYT WorldGermany’s Far Right Claims Its First Statehouse Speaker Since 1945 - The New York Times
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