Politics
CROSS-SPECTRUMBROAD COVERAGE
AfD's Ulrich Siegmund says he will seek Saxony‑Anhalt minister‑president post in December
Ulrich Siegmund addressed reporters in the Magdeburg state parliament, stating he will seek the minister‑president post during a December meeting of the Landtag. The party's newly elected legislators also chose Tobias Rausch as speaker of the Landtag. Rausch noted that a minority government could still be viable. The move could affect coalition dynamics in Saxony‑Anhalt.
Why it matters
The bid could influence how the state is governed and which parties shape policy.
How this story developed
- Sep 21 The CDU failed to clear the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, losing all its seats in the state parliament.
- Sep 21 Elif Eralp, the daughter of Turkish left-wing refugees, was named Die Linke's lead candidate for the Berlin mayoral race, drawing parallels to New York mayor Bill de Blasio’s predecessor.
- Sep 21 Speaking on Tagesschau Extra, Krings said a division of the two top positions has not been ruled out and should be openly discussed. He recalled past CDU experiences where combining the roles proved problematic and stressed that the country's interests must come before personal ambitions. Krings added that the party must focus on overdue reforms rather than debating leadership changes, especially after recent electoral defeats in several states.
- Sep 21 The Greens announced they will seek a red‑green‑red coalition with the Left and SPD.
- Sep 21 AfD received about 44% of the vote in Saxony‑Anhalt, falling short of a majority by three seats.
- Sep 22 The CDU top council met on Monday to voice concerns about the party’s leadership.
- Sep 23 SPD and Greens require Die Linke to demonstrate anti‑antisemitism safeguards before coalition talks can proceed.
- Sep 24 Merz faces mounting pressure after the regional setbacks.
- Sep 24 The Israeli ambassador warned of an “immediate existential threat” to Berlin’s Jewish community over alleged antisemitism in the party.
- Sep 24 The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance pledged support for the AfD’s speaker nominee, creating a parliamentary majority for the AfD in Saxony‑Anhalt.
- Sep 27 SPD and Greens issued a joint warning demanding Die Linke reject antisemitism and clan crime before coalition talks proceed.
- Sep 29 AfD parliamentary group chair Ulrich Siegmund said he will stand for the Minister-President post in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament in December.
- Oct 3 Tobias Rausch was elected speaker of the Landtag.
Related stories
36 in this thread