The AfDpolitician Ulrich Siegmund is no longer ruling out a second or third round in the forthcoming minister-president vote in Saxony-Anhalt as well. He said this on 6 November 2026, referring to the announcement by the CDUparliamentary group that it would largely leave the chamber for the vote. Siegmund had previously been more cautious about possible further attempts. The AfD emerged as the strongest force in the state election in September, but has no overall majority of its own in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament .
The CDU reiterated that it would not support Siegmund’s election. Leaving the chamber was intended to prevent individual CDU MPs from voting for the AfD candidate. Constitutionally, however, such a move does not lower the threshold in the first two rounds: in those rounds, the minister-president can be elected only with a majority of the members of the state parliament. Only in a possible third round is a relative majority sufficient. Tactics such as leaving the chamber therefore do not initially alter the formal majority requirements.
Politically, the situation remains open. SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, the FDP, The Left and the group of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance rule out cooperation with the AfD. Whether a clear majority against Siegmund emerges in the first two rounds or a third round is needed depends on the unity of the parliamentary groups and the possibility of rival candidates. Observers point out that a third round could change the dynamics, since the most votes are then sufficient.
Siegmund justified his change of position by citing the changed situation following the CDU’s decision. At the same time, parliamentary lawyers and constitutional experts said in media reports that repeated candidacies and party discipline are part of parliamentary practice. Responsibility for achieving a stable majority lies with the MPs, who must heed both the voters’ will and the constitutional rules.
The state parliament in Magdeburg plans to hold the election in mid-December 2026, according to the current schedule. The exact date and procedure will be set out in the agenda. The incumbent state government will remain in office until a new head of government is elected. It remains unclear how the CDU’s decision to leave the chamber will affect political relations in the state parliament; within the CDU, it is seen as protection against unwanted individual votes, while critics regard it as a symbolic escalation that has no effect on constitutionally required majorities.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).