Dealing with the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt: CDU disputes over affidavit

dpa | There is still a dispute in the CDU parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt over the election of an AfD representative as state parliament president. The CDU MPs were supposed to sign an affidavit at a parliamentary group meeting stating that they did not vote for the AfD candidate, as several CDU MPs confirmed to the German Press Agency. The right-wing news portal Nius first reported.

Accordingly, the CDU MPs were presented with an affidavit at an internal parliamentary group meeting in which they were supposed to declare that they had elected neither AfD politician Tobias Rausch as state parliament president nor his party colleague Hans-Thomas Tillschneider as vice president of the state parliament. Both were elected at the beginning of October with more votes than the AfD has seats in the new state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt. Since then there has been discussion about whether these votes could possibly have come from the CDU. The group always rejected this. Tobias Rausch is the first AfD president of a German parliament.

Saxony-Anhalt's CDU parliamentary group and party leader Sven Schulze rejected allegations that he had submitted the affidavit himself. Neither he nor the executive group executive committee did this, Schulze told the German Press Agency. “The proposal was brought to the group meeting by the group, discussed and rejected.”

Nevertheless, there is sharp criticism of acting Prime Minister Schulze - including from within his own ranks. Former CDU state parliament member Alexander Räuscher told Die Welt that this was a reason that Schulze had to resign if it was true. “Demanding such an explanation shows an absurd understanding of democracy.” It tramples on the rights of MPs and is in no way acceptable. “We need a new start at the top so that we can clear our heads and become fully capable of acting again.”

The BSW parliamentary group, which had just moved into the state parliament, also called on Schulze to resign from all of his offices. “It is no longer acceptable for our country,” said BSW parliamentary group leader Thomas Schulze. “With his behavior, he is helping to undermine democracy and the constitution and further frustrating citizens.” Schulze should not represent the state for another day.