The far-right party in Germany, Alternative for Germany ( The AfD), is aiming to take the lead in a provincial parliament for the first time, as Saxony-Anhalt deputies gather today for the first session after the September 6th elections.

AfD has nominated MP Tobias Rausch for the post of president of the provincial parliament in Magdeburg. The outcome of the vote is expected to matter beyond the land policy, as it will be a first test for relations between the AfD and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance ( BSW).

AfD won the election with 43.8 per cent of the vote, providing 39 of the 83 seats in parliament. As the largest parliamentary group, it has the right to propose the candidate for president, but the simple majority of valid votes is needed for his election.

This makes the BSW’s stance crucial, which has five deputies and has declared Rausch will support it. Meanwhile, the CDU, SPD, Green Book and the Left Party have indicated they will vote against the AfD candidate, Telegraphed.

The AfD branch in Saxonine-Anhalt is classified by the local authorities for protecting the constitution as the confirmed organisation of the right extreme. For this reason, the election of an AfD politician at parliament’s helm is considered by observers as a development of particular political importance.

The post is not merely ceremonial. Parliament’s president heads the plenary hearings, heads the Council of the Non-Responds, and oversees the parliamentary administration. Politologist Nicolas Spohn said the impact of this post lies mainly on procedural issues and the implementation of parliament’s regulation.

Rausch has tried to present himself as a pragmatic figure. I am not an extremist, I am pragmatic, he has stated, adding that he intends to take into account the interests of all parties and that the debates in parliament are tough on issues but fair to individuals.

However, voting for the president of parliament does not determine who will lead the country government.

This post is intended to receive AfD’s top candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, who is expected to run for the post of country prime minister in December. To be elected, he will need at least 42 votes.

For that very reason, today’s vote is seen as a first test of relations between the AfD and BSW. Supporting the five BSW deputies for Rausch may be an important signal to the way relations between the two forces will develop over the coming months.

The inaugural session starts at 11:00 and the president of parliament will be elected by a secret vote. If the candidate does not get the necessary majority in the first round, further rounds of voting could be held.

Meanwhile, protests outside parliament have also been warned. The Alliance {Solidaris Magdeburg) is expected to organise a demonstration along with other civic initiatives.

AfD has also secured the change of the seat plan in parliament’s hall. As the largest group, it will now sit in the center of the hall instead of the traditional position at the right end.

Until the election and oath of the new land prime minister, the current government of Saxony-Anhalt will continue to remain in office. /Telegraphy/