Tobias Rausch has been elected speaker of a German regional parliament, marking the first time a candidate from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured the position.
The speaker’s role is largely symbolic, but the result has drawn political significance because of the AfD’s involvement. Opponents of the party have described Mr Rausch’s election as a watershed moment.
The available information does not identify the regional parliament or provide further details about the vote. Mr Rausch’s election nevertheless represents a notable development for the AfD at regional level, despite the limited formal powers attached to the role.
