BMW withdraws official car lease after AfD politician becomes Saxony-Anhalt parliament president
BMW cancelled its lease proposal for the new parliamentary president of Saxony-Anhalt after Tobias Rausch, an AfD member, was elected to the post.
BMW has retracted its offer to supply a leased official car for the president of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament. The move followed the election of AfD member Tobias Rausch to the parliamentary presidency. A spokesperson for the company declined to explain the rationale, noting that the BMW Group generally does not discuss individual customer arrangements.
The withdrawal affects the parliamentary office, not any private contract of Rausch or his party. Until a replacement is arranged, the parliament must find an interim vehicle, as one outlet lease for the predecessor’s BMW ends in November. BMW remains a major supplier of vehicles for the state’s legislative and executive bodies, while other German manufacturers have not submitted competing offers. Recent comments by BMW board chief Milan Nedeljković criticized nationalist policies, but the company did not link those remarks to the leasing decision.
Why it matters
The case highlights how political changes can influence corporate procurement decisions and public-sector contracts.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the withdrawal as a sign of growing tension between the AfD’s political rise and corporate opposition to right-wing populism, while right-leaning coverage treats it as a neutral business move without political commentary.
LEFT
Highlights the withdrawal as evidence of conflict between the AfD’s ascent and BMW’s stance against right-wing populism.
RIGHT
Portrays the withdrawal as a routine corporate decision, noting lack of explanation and focusing on logistical impact.
The left emphasises
- the move follows the BMW CEO’s denunciation of right-wing populism and nationalism
- the withdrawal underscores tension between the AfD’s rise in regional politics and corporate political positions
The right emphasises
- BMW gave no explanation and said it does not discuss individual customer arrangements
- the withdrawal affects the parliamentary office and forces the legislature to find an interim vehicle
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