AfD candidate Tobias Rausch could become president of the state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt; Cornell rape case reopened
Quick Look
- In Saxony-Anhalt, a new state parliament president will be elected in the state parliament on Tuesday.
- The AfD candidate Tobias Rausch has a good chance as he could receive the support of the BSW.
- At the same time, at the US University of Cornell, a former student will accuse seven members of a fraternity of gang rape; the public prosecutor's office has resumed the investigation.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD won 39 of 83 seats in the state elections in September, making it the strongest force. The BSW has signaled that it will support the AfD candidate Tobias Rausch for the office of state parliament president. At Cornell University, a former student reported a gang rape by seven members of a fraternity two years ago when she was 20 years old. The university investigated the case internally and expelled two of the accused.
On Tuesday, a state parliament president will be elected at the constitutive meeting in the state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt. The candidate with the best chance of success is currently Tobias Rausch from the AfD. Rausch needs an absolute majority of the votes cast. The AfD became the strongest force in the September election and now holds 39 of 83 seats. The BSW has already assured several times that it will support Rausch. The combined votes of AfD and BSW would be enough for an election. Until now, Rausch was the parliamentary manager of the AfD parliamentary group. What can you expect from him in the role of President of the State Parliament? And will the CDU also take part in his election? Tilman Steffen from the politics department at ZEIT answers these questions.
A former student accuses seven members of a fraternity at the elite US university Cornell of raping her. The public prosecutor's office has now resumed the investigation. Two years ago, the student reported the gang rape to the campus police when she was 20 years old. Your current lawsuit for damages is directed against the seven men, the student association, the university and other parties involved. The university itself says it has investigated the case internally. Two of the alleged perpetrators were expelled from the university, the others were able to continue studying there - after writing an essay, taking part in a workshop or serving a short suspension. Dirk Peitz can report on what role the university plays in the case and what the mood at the university is now. He did on-site research for the political features section of ZEIT.
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Tobias Rausch is elected President of the State Parliament at the inaugural session of the State Parliament in Saxony-Anhalt.
Likely · Within days
Prosecutors will continue to investigate and possibly file charges in the Cornell case.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the CDU support Tobias Rausch in the election for state parliament president?
- What specific steps will prosecutors take now in the Cornell case?
- What will the mood be at Cornell University after the investigation reopens?
- Exactly what role did Cornell University play in dealing with the gang rape allegation?


