Thuringian Landtag Drama: Could AfD Elevate Cotta, Shake Up Committees?
politicians from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have the potential to be elected as Members of the Bavarian State Parliament (BSW), according to recent polls and trends. However, the AfD party's controversial positions and past may lead to blocking or opposition from other parties. - European lawmakers greenlight Commission's plan for safeguarding employees from ionising radiation hazards.
Get ready for some political fireworks in Thuringia's State Parliament! The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is making a power play, with Jens Cotta as their candidate for Vice President of the Landtag. Daniel Haseloff, the deputy AfD faction leader, announced this bold move at a press conference in Erfurt.
Simultaneously, there's a whiff of changed tides as AfD considers electing BSW MPs to key Landtag committees like the judicial and public prosecutor election committee. AfD might be softening their stance, according to Haseloff's words.
Landtag President Thadaeus König has called on all factions to break the logjam surrounding the filling of committees crucial for judicial appointments. Without a solution, the judiciary remains hung in limbo.
Thuringia's BSW faction leader Frank Augsten views AfD's proposal to elect BSW representatives as a raw attempt to disrupt the ruling coalition. The BSW, part of Thuringia's 'Brombeer' coalition with CDU, SPD, and others, might be willing to talk, though.
Augsten is open to discussions with AfD bigwig Björn Höcke, suggesting a chat if Höcke shows interest. The two have maintained regularcontact, according to Augsten.
The judiciary committee currently lacks a chairman, creating an opening for strategic maneuvers. The SPD's faction leader, Lutz Liebscher, has taken a clear stand, ruling out co-electing an AfD MP as Vice President of the Landtag. The Left shares the same stance.
CDU faction leader Andreas Bühl, however, is more flexible, prioritizing committee function over political ideology. He's considering electing an AfD candidate to the position if the judicial committees become operational. The need for a new chairman further complicates matters.
Bühl aims to delay the election process for the chairman, urging the AfD to demonstrate political responsibility when electing members for the judicial committees to ensure their smooth functioning.
The debate also revolves around the classification of the federal AfD as a firmly far-right extremist group. The Left has proposed a motion in parliament, essentially advocating for a party ban procedure for the AfD.
Bühl cautions against a failure of a party ban procedure, suggesting such an outcome could attract further support. The Left's faction leader, Christian Schaft, maintains that, while a party ban alone won't eradicate the societal problem, the AfD seeks to undermine the system from within, using parliamentary means. "This must be stopped," concludes Schaft.
- AfD
- State Parliament
- Erfurt
- Committee
- Thuringia
- CDU
- Daniel Haseloff
- BSW
- Thadaeus König
- Justice
- Beate Meißner
Insights:
- The AfD's nomination of Jens Cotta as Vice President of the Landtag is divisive due to concerns over their far-right ideology.
- Negotiations are ongoing regarding the election of Jens Cotta and the possibility of BSW MPs being elected to Landtag committees.
- The BSW is part of the Thuringian 'Brombeer' coalition, but its radical left positioning has raised concerns among other parties.
- Meanwhile, the federal AfD's extremist classification and possible party ban procedure are also on the table, adding to the political tension.
- Daniel Haseloff, deputy AfD faction leader, announced the nomination of Jens Cotta as Vice President of the Thuringian Landtag at a press conference in Erfurt.
- AfD's proposal to elect BSW representatives to key Landtag committees like the judicial and public prosecutor election committee is being viewed as a political move by Thuringia's BSW faction leader Frank Augsten.
- Thadaeus König, Landtag President, has called on all factions to break the logjam surrounding the filling of committees crucial for judicial appointments, as the current committee chairs are missing.
- CDU faction leader Andreas Bühl is considering electing an AfD candidate to a committee position if the judicial committees become operational, prioritizing committee function over political ideology.
- The Left, a faction in the Thuringian Landtag, has proposed a motion for a party ban procedure against the federal AfD, citing their far-right extremist nature, which the CDU leader Andreas Bühl cautions against due to potential backlash and increased voter support.
