The Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a historic milestone on Tuesday when its candidate, Tobias Rausch, was elected as speaker of the state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt, marking the first time since World War II that a far-right party has held such a position in Germany. The vote took place in Magdeburg, the capital of the eastern state, where Rausch received 48 votes, with 29 against and five abstentions.

The AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance and pro-Moscow orientation, had won nearly 44 percent of the vote in last month’s state elections, narrowly missing an absolute majority with 39 out of 83 seats. The support of the five lawmakers from the small left-wing BSW party, which shares some of the AfD’s positions on Russia and immigration, was crucial to Rausch’s victory. This coalition suggests the possibility of further collaboration between the two parties, which could pave the way for an AfD-led government in Saxony-Anhalt—a development unprecedented in Germany’s postwar political landscape.

Christian Leye, deputy leader of the BSW, defended the party’s decision to back Rausch, arguing that the traditional political “firewall” against cooperating with the AfD has proven ineffective. He said a more productive approach involves engaging directly with the AfD’s policy proposals rather than excluding the party outright.

The election of Rausch provoked significant protests in Magdeburg, where several hundred demonstrators gathered, holding signs referencing Germany’s Nazi past with slogans such as “Never again is now.” Demonstrators also read aloud passages from the German constitution emphasizing citizens’ fundamental rights. Organizer Sandy Gaertner condemned the AfD, accusing it of undermining and distorting constitutional principles.

In his acceptance remarks, Rausch pledged to take diverse viewpoints seriously and promised transparency in decision-making. However, the result drew sharp criticism from other parties. Green MP Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz warned of the consequences of empowering what she described as an extremist, anti-constitutional party.

Ulrich Siegmund, AfD leader in Saxony-Anhalt, expressed his ambition to become state premier in the forthcoming December vote, which would mark another first for the party. While the BSW has not yet committed to supporting Siegmund for the premiership, reports indicate cooperation between the two parties on certain issues, including the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry into government pandemic policies.

The AfD's strong performance in Saxony-Anhalt follows its recent electoral success in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, another eastern state, although a coalition of left-wing parties currently appears poised to retain governing authority there.