Initial gathering of the Thuringian parliament gets off to a contentious start.
In Erfurt, the recently elected Thuringian state parliament initiates its first meeting. The responsibility of electing the parliamentary leadership falls upon an AfD member, yet even drafting an agenda presents challenges. The session evolves into a power struggle between the AfD and the remaining four parties.
A month post-elections, this initial assembly introduces the election of a new parliament president. The process commences with listing the members and establishing decision-making authority. However, contentions over the agenda between the AfD and the rest confronted a premature conflict. In response, the session was discontinued by the elder AfD representative, Jürgen Treutler, due to disagreements around the agenda, with the session merely lasting eleven minutes.
Directly following the session's commencing, Treutler released his opening speech. He emphasized the AfD's dominance and embraced the traditional custom that grants them initial preference for the parliamentary presidency post, ensuring durability for the parliamentary majority. He warned against violating this normivity, claiming it would corrode the democratic framework.
The elected lawmakers were urged to address the past election outcome candidly and with due respect, heeding the people's will. Treutler highlighted the significance of adhering to the political culture and upholding democracy.
Following Treutler's speech, the CDU faction reintroduced a motion to establish the parliament's decision-making prowess. The session again faced interruption. As per the parliamentary rules, the AfD initially holds the authority to select candidates for the presidency due to its status as the strongest force. They nominated their member, Wiebke Muhsal, for this position. In the past, Muhsal had faced fraud charges that resulted in a monetary penalty.
CDU and BSW Seek Rule Change
The selection of parliamentary leadership proves complex. The remaining factions—CDU, BSW, SPD, and Left—refuse to accept an AfD politician in the leading role, urging a change in the rules for this election. Before launching, the CDU and BSW sought to alter the parliamentary rules, enabling all factions to propose candidates from the initial vote. The current procedure reserves this privilege for the strongest faction in the first two rounds, where a vote worth more yeses than nos elects a candidate.
With the proposed rule adjustment, the other parties aim to prevent an AfD politician from occupying the top position and prevent deadlocks, such as disruptions. The CDU suggested its member Thadaeus König as a candidate for the state parliament president election, while the AfD had already dismissed the rule modifications.
Heavily Criticized Speech by Treutler
Treutler's remarks during the first parliament session drew significant backlash. CDU leader Mario Voigt stated that the speaker should maintain neutrality, which Treutler failed to uphold. In response to this, the CDU tweeted: "The AfD's parliamentary speaker should not misrepresent a supposed 'voter will' to favor the strongest faction. Aren't they aware that parliamentary majorities are required?"
Ramelow: "Acceptable Boundaries" Violated
Thuringia Minister-President Bodo Ramelow accused Treutler of violating the acceptable boundaries by referencing Eduard Spranger. Ramelow emphasized Spranger's positive sentiments towards the National Socialist revolution and his exclusion of Jews from the Goethe Society in 1938.
Before the session, Ramelow had labeled the AfD's proposal to elect Wiebke Muhsal as Landtag President "unthinkable," stating their continuous disrespect for a constitutional institution. "As a legitimately elected representative, I cannot endorse the person Wiebke Muhsal" he declared.
With the introduction of the new parliament, the term for the red-red-green minority government led by Minister-President Ramelow draws to a close. However, in line with the state constitution, the government members retain their responsibilities until their successors take over. Ramelow presented the relevant documents to his cabinet in Erfurt on Thursday morning.
In the ensuing debate, the CDU and BSW proposed a rule change to democratize the election of the parliamentary leadership, aiming to prevent an AfD politician from assuming the top position. Despite the AfD's opposition, the CDU put forth its member Thadaeus König as a candidate for the state parliament presidency election.
The backlash against Treutler's speech continued, with CDU leader Mario Voigt criticizing his lack of neutrality and the CDU tweeting that the AfD's parliamentary speaker should not manipulate a supposed "voter will" to favor the strongest faction.
