Saxony-Anhalt: Klöckner criticizes AfD state parliament president for party office

The newly elected state parliament president Tobias Rausch wants to remain general secretary of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt - Bundestag President Julia Klöckner criticizes this decision as strange. Rausch now has to prove himself in his office, the CDU politician told “Stern”. The benchmark is the rules of procedure and neutrality. "That's why, as President of Parliament, I find it strange that Mr. Rausch - as we can hear - wants to keep his party office and remain general secretary of his state party at the same time."

Rausch was elected as the AfD's first state parliament president in Germany on Tuesday. Klöckner expressed understanding for the expectation of many that he would resign from his party position. She described it as “completely inappropriate” to “hold on to an operational and particularly political party office” as President of Parliament. She referred to her own decision to give up her party position as treasurer of the CDU before the election as Bundestag President.

Klöckner's predecessor, Norbert Lammert (CDU), was also irritated by Rausch's announcement that he wanted to remain general secretary. "That's unusual and I don't understand how the two offices, which now require almost mirror-image different profiles, should be compatible with each other," he told WDR on Tuesday.