{
  "id": 9685721,
  "title": "Sachsen-Anhalt: Streit im Magdeburger Landtag über Ausschussgröße",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/sachsen-anhalt-streit-im-magdeburger-landtag-uber-ausschussgro-e",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T02:30:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/sachsen-anhalt-streit-im-magdeburger-landtag-ueber-ausschussgroesse/100257313.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "A dispute over committee size threatens to erupt in the Magdeburg State Parliament before the first session of the newly elected Landtag in Saxony-Anhalt. On Friday, representatives from the AfD, CDU, SPD, Greens, Linken, and BSW will gather in Magdeburg for the so-called Presidium Council to establish procedural rules for parliamentary operations. However, there are differing opinions on the size of the committees. The AfD proposes that committees should consist of 12 members instead of the current 13. The Landtag administration recommends a composition of 11 members, as this better reflects the election results. The size of the committees makes a significant difference: with 12 members, the AfD could secure six places and gain considerable influence, creating a deadlock of 6:6 against the other factions. While this would not constitute a majority, it could potentially block or delay decisions or recommendations. With 11-member committees, the AfD would have five members and would need to vote with other factions. The CDU, Linken, Greens, and SPD together hold 39 seats in the parliament, while the AfD also has 39 members. The BSW has five members, and the majority is 42 votes. The AfD could potentially block amendments from other committees. Committees where the majority of substantive work takes place are supposed to reflect the majority in the plenary. Discussing draft laws and motions, as well as conducting hearings, has also often taken into account the concerns of smaller factions and the opposition. The AfD's proposal raises concerns among representatives of other parties, who fear that it will not accurately reflect the election results. Olaf Meister, the parliamentary business manager of the Greens, warns that with 12-member committees, the AfD could block amendments from other factions. He considers such majority situations based on the election results unconstitutional. \"The AfD did not receive 50 percent,\" he said. The Greens see blocking amendments as a violation of constitutional principles. They consider filing a lawsuit at the State Constitutional Court if the BSW joins the AfD in voting for 12-member committees. The Greens and SPD are considering legal action in this case. Spiegelbildlichkeit (mirror image) would not be ensured if the BSW and AfD vote in favor of 12-member committees, according to the parliamentary business manager of the Social Democrats, Falko Grube. The AfD is considering moving the offices of the SPD and Greens to other buildings, which they see as a symbolic gesture to demonstrate their strength. The Left currently uses other facilities. The issue also concerns the seating arrangement, with the AfD members planning to sit in the middle of the plenum instead of at the back.",
  "summary": "Die Verfahrensregeln im neuen Landtag von Sachsen-Anhalt werden zur Machtfrage: Je nach Größe der Ausschüsse könnte die AfD dort Entscheidungen blockieren. Andere Fraktionen prüfen schon eine Klage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}