With the votes of the AfD and BSW, the new state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt has called for the lifting of economic sanctions against Russia and an end to arms deliveries to Ukraine. A corresponding motion from the two groups entitled “Peace talks instead of expanding the war in Ukraine” was approved by a majority in parliament on Wednesday in a special session in Magdeburg.
The application calls on the state government to “use all the means at its disposal, in particular through a corresponding initiative in the Federal Council, to prevent further escalation in Ukraine and to implement a peace-building policy.” The focus should be on diplomacy. It continues: “The economic sanctions against Russia must be lifted immediately.” Financial support to Ukraine must be stopped immediately to the extent that it goes beyond humanitarian aid. Weapons deliveries to Ukraine should be suspended.
The acting Prime Minister Sven Schulze (CDU) as well as speakers from the CDU, SPD, the Greens and the Left strongly condemned the motion. In his speech, Schulze (CDU) called the proposal a “bridal gift to the BSW” with a view to the planned prime ministerial election in December and spoke of a “show”.
The benefits for Ukrainians were also discussed. When asked whether these should be adjusted, Schulze said: “I think it is important that the rules are set up differently here.” Negotiations between the states and the federal government were ongoing. "We have framework conditions that are unacceptable. I am very committed to changing the legal system."
CDU MP Sven Ruhland accused the AfD of ignoring Russia's responsibility for the war in this motion. "Nobody in this house wants war. Nobody wants a single person to die in Ukraine or Russia," said Ruhland. At the same time, he criticized the proposal: “Nowhere does it say who started this war.”
Ruhland also referred to further trilateral talks in October. “The problem is that Moscow only wants to silence its weapons once it has first forced further concessions.” “A ceasefire always needs two people involved,” said Ruhland. Anyone who only demands this from the person being attacked is not demanding peace, but surrender. “Moscow refuses the ceasefire and is rewarded with the disarmament of its enemy.”
The special session was overshadowed by a dispute over the new state parliament president, Tobias Rausch. The Left and the Greens accuse him of violating impartiality. “It is not without reason that there has been an outcry several times in the last few days that you, Mr. Rausch, are misusing your office unilaterally in favor of one or two factions,” said Left party group leader Eva von Angern.
At the beginning of a special session of the state parliament, several parliamentary groups requested an interruption. The council of elders met, which had not previously been called. The parliamentary manager of the Greens, Olaf Meister, said that it should be about the speaking time in the debate. But he wanted to address other points: for example, the commemoration of the anniversary of the attack on the synagogue in Halle last week and a press release from the state parliament with almost the same wording as a statement from the AfD. “This is a serious violation of the neutrality requirement,” said Meister.
Meister also criticized the fact that Rausch continues to be a parliamentary manager in addition to his position as President of the State Parliament. “These are two offices that cannot be reconciled in any way.” The parliamentary manager, like himself, introduces the position of his group, the state parliament president does exactly the opposite, he brings things together.
The AfD reacted immediately and just a few minutes later sent out a press release that read: "The AfD parliamentary group in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt has unanimously elected Dr. Jan Moldenhauer as their new parliamentary manager. Moldenhauer is the successor to Tobias Rausch, who resigned from the office of parliamentary manager after his election as President of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt."
