Women in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt: Long live the new old men's world

Men, men, men. Wherever you looked on the evening of the AfD election, there were people wearing suits. This is also what the AfD parliamentary group in the new Magdeburg state parliament looks like: There are only two women among the 39 representatives - and the proportion of women in parliament falls to less than 22 percent. This means that the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt has the lowest proportion of women of all state parliaments in Germany. And at the same time the lowest in the East German state since it was created after reunification. For comparison: the Hamburg parliament has almost equal representation, the Bremische has over 40 percent female representatives.

The fact that women are now largely disappearing from the Anhalt parliament is also due to them. Because they also helped the right-wing extremists to win the election: 39 percent of women voters in Saxony-Anhalt voted for the AfD. In all age groups, women most often advocated for the party with the backward-looking image of women and the family, which relies on the white mother-father-child family and wants to abolish equality guidelines and female self-determination.

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.

In the AfD election program, everything is sometimes formulated directly, sometimes euphemistically. The “right to physical integrity should also apply to unborn life” and “an ultrasound examination of the unborn child” should be carried out – a clear no to abortions. “Functioning families” made school social work and nursing homes unnecessary because they produced “capable young people” who “earn their own living.” There is talk of a “offspring bonus” and a “home ownership bonus” for parents and of a “baby welcome allowance”, daycare centers and school meals should be free of charge. However, the party does not reveal how it plans to finance all of this. Nevertheless, according to the Taxpayers' Association, Saxony-Anhalt has the highest per capita debt of all the federal states. At the end of 2026, the debt level is expected to reach 25 billion euros.

Right-wing extremism and anti-feminism join hands – a common bind, to be sure. But one that the women in Saxony-Anhalt will now clearly feel. Even those who made their mark in the voting booth. Some will consciously accept the reactionary image of women and families, others may not have even taken a look at the “government program”.

After the elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, there is a threat of an AfD government for the first time. The taz reports what is at stake - and who is now defending democracy. All texts about the series can be found here.

You may feel safe that there will be no return to the 1950s in the Federal Republic. Because women are still allowed to go to work, just as Eastern women are used to. And the single-earner marriage has no longer been financially viable for a long time. Women are still allowed to participate in politics, media, science and administration. But their share will decrease. Because where men are in charge, they recruit their own kind - long live the new old men's world.