CDU Votes Align with AfD to Elect Far-Right Candidate as Saxony-Anhalt Parliament Speaker

CDU members of parliament in Saxony-Anhalt appear to have helped elect a far-right AfD candidate as the state parliament speaker, triggering outrage from the SPD in Berlin. Social Democrats called the vote a breach of the firewall that mainstream parties have long maintained against the far right.

Chancellor Merz's party denies intentional cooperation with the AfD, but the episode reopens fierce debate about how to handle the rising far-right party. The SPD said it would use all means at its disposal to defend the constitution against far-right extremism.