Thuringia's Political Struggle Over State Parliament Presidency

In response to the AfD's dominance in the Thuringian state parliament, several parties are pushing for a change in the election process for the parliament president. The CDU and the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) plan to propose an amendment in next Thursday's parliamentary session. This amendment would allow candidates from all factions to be nominated from the first round of voting. Currently, the largest faction, which is the AfD, holds the initial nomination right.

Other factions, including the SPD and Linke, oppose an AfD candidate for the presidency. The AfD has already nominated Wiebke Muhsal for the role, with party leader Björn Höcke warning against what he calls a 'historic taboo'. Observers fear that the election process could be stalled by the AfD, potentially leading to a protracted legal battle and rendering the parliament non-functional.

The proposed amendment aims to prevent such a scenario by enabling a workable process from the start. According to the CDU, a majority of 45 votes would be needed to pass the amendment. Andreas Bühl, the CDU's parliamentary manager, emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of the Thuringian parliament. Tilo Kummer from BSW echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for a swift and effective parliamentary session.

Meanwhile, other political maneuvers are also at play. The Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht and the CDU are working together to prevent an AfD-led parliament while the AfD supports a proposed Corona investigation committee. Additionally, a legal case against Björn Höcke for incitement has been temporarily suspended, highlighting the ongoing legal and political complexities involving the AfD.