The Saxony-Anhalt state parliament (Landtag) is holding a vote for its president, according to Deutschlandfunk. The broadcaster reports that AfD figure Siegmund expects his party's candidate to secure a majority in the vote.
The vote comes as the newly elected Landtag convenes for its first session. German outlets carried live coverage of the sitting, with WELT reporting that a Linke Alterspräsidentin (a senior member acting as temporary chair by age) opened the session. According to WELT, she cited the so-called "Antifa-Klausel" and referenced "Spiderman" during her opening remarks.
STERN.de reported that Siegmund arrived in the plenary chamber carrying a mug bearing the phrase "Linke Tränen" (left-wing tears). Tagesspiegel reported that the session saw brief chaos and that the AfD decided not to push for changes to the parliament's rules of procedure (Geschäftsordnung) after all.
The president of a German state parliament chairs sessions, sets the agenda in coordination with parliamentary groups, and represents the legislature in official matters. The position is normally filled at the start of a legislative term.
The outcome of the vote itself was not confirmed in the material available. What to watch next: the official result of the speaker election and how the chamber proceeds with constituting its business for the new term.
