First AfD state parliament president Rausch: Stirrup holder BSW

With the election of Tobias Rausch as President of the State Parliament, a limit was crossed in Saxony-Anhalt: for the first time, an AfD politician is at the head of a German state parliament. This was made possible by the votes of the BSW. Democratic parties have to deal with the AfD in parliament. They sit with her on committees, deal with her proposals and discuss her positions. This is part of parliamentary democracy. But parliamentary interaction is not political cooperation. The limit is reached where democratic parties help right-wing extremists gain power that they would not have on their own. That's exactly what the BSW did.

The President of the State Parliament is not a symbolic person. He chairs meetings, decides on speaking times and exercises housekeeping rights. In the hands of a right-wing extremist party, such powers can become an instrument of political power. The BSW did not have to choose Rausch, it made a conscious decision to do so. It is hardly surprising that this populist and conspiracy-loving party crosses the line between parliamentary dealings and political cooperation.

is a political and social scientist and executive director of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation and advises civil society initiatives, politics and administration in their work against right-wing extremism and for democratic culture.

Saxony-Anhalt is becoming a precedent for how a right-wing extremist party gains state power with the help of other parties. What appears to be an exception in Magdeburg may soon become a model – for other federal states and for the federal government.

The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.

Next is the formation of a government. Then the CDU must also show what its differentiation from the AfD is worth. It is not enough to deny Ulrich Siegmund his own votes and retreat into the opposition. Thuringia and Saxony show that solutions beyond the AfD are possible even under difficult majorities. As a civil society, we will look and object when democratic boundaries are exceeded. And strengthen those who stand up for democracy. But the responsibility for not giving right-wing extremists political power lies with the democratic parties.