Wahl in Sachsen-Anhalt: Bundesrat sieht sich gewappnet für mögliche AfD-Regierung

The Bundesrat feels well equipped for the possibility that the AfD could appoint a Minister-President following the upcoming Landtag election in Sachsen-Anhalt on September 6th. Bundesratspräsident Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur that while it would be politically felt, he does not foresee any disruptive tactics, such as delaying business or derailing decision-making.

He firmly believes democratic forces will prevail and there will not be an AfD Minister-President. However, he emphasized the need to win over and convince voters. Wählers have to be won over and convinced, Bovenschulte said, who is also the Minister-President of Bremen. He believes an AfD Minister-President can be prevented. According to recent opinion polls, the AfD is currently ahead of the CDU in Sachsen-Anhalt, which currently holds the position of Minister-President.

Bovenschulte stressed the importance of clearly opposing the AfD and presenting alternatives, as the majority of voters would choose a democratic alternative. If necessary, the Bundesrat is well-prepared to prevent disruptive maneuvers due to its governance rules and procedures. The party was classified as a right-wing extremist group by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in 2023, but the Bundesrat has since revised its rules to make it more difficult for individuals to disrupt proceedings.

The change was not related to the AfD, but rather overdue after more than 30 years. In its recent changes to its rules, the Bundesrat established that its president and vice-presidents can be removed with a two-thirds majority, as well as committee chairpersons. Previously, only one state's request was needed to convene an extraordinary session, but now at least two states are required.

Additionally, the person with the longest tenure among government leaders would chair the session of the Landtag chamber if all members of the presidium were absent. This prevents an AfD politician from having the opportunity to chair such a session in the foreseeable future.