The new state parliament (Landtag) of Saxony-Anhalt, using votes from the AfD and BSW parties, passed a motion calling upon the current state government to use all available resources, particularly through an initiative in the Bundesrat (Federal Council), to prevent further escalation in Ukraine and to promote a peace-building policy. This motion also calls for efforts toward establishing Ukraine’s status as a neutral state within a long-term peace order.
AfD and BSW sought a special session shortly after the establishment of the new parliament, which proved to be a busy week for them. The regular plenary was delayed by over an hour due to disputes over regulations and the necessity for the Council of Elders to convene first.
During the debate, AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund, who aims to be elected Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt in December, expressed pride that the parliament is initiating a peace initiative regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. He criticized other parties, labeling them as “war instigators.” However, the incumbent Minister President, Sven Schulze (CDU), rejected this accusation, emphasizing that a state government does not have jurisdiction over foreign policy matters.
Since the September 6 election, AfD and BSW together hold an absolute majority in the Saxony-Anhalt parliament; however, they have not formed a coalition. During the election for the parliament president, BSW openly supported the AfD’s proposal, though they rejected the AfD candidate for the vice-presidency. Both candidates, however, received votes from other parliamentary factions.
