Lawmakers in Saxony-Anhalt have elected Tobias Rausch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as president of the state parliament, according to taz.de. The vote took place in Magdeburg during the body's constitutive session on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Rausch becomes the first AfD politician to hold the parliamentary presidency in the state.
Der Spiegel reported that Rausch received 48 yes votes. The designation makes him the presiding officer of the Landtag, the state legislature.
The election came as the newly constituted parliament began its founding session. According to sueddeutsche.de, the chamber moved on to choosing its vice presidents after the presidency vote. The Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt had published the session's agenda in advance.
FOCUS online reported that behind possible CDU dissenters in the vote lies a deep internal rift, suggesting the balloting did not follow strict party lines.
The session marks the formal start of the new legislative term in Saxony-Anhalt, with the AfD now holding the parliament's top procedural post. The parliamentary presidency carries responsibility for running sessions and representing the legislature.
What to watch next: the outcome of the vice-presidential elections and how the chamber's parties organize around the new leadership.
