Tobias Rausch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) was elected president of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament at its inaugural session in Magdeburg. Reports described this as the first time since the Second World War that an AfD or far-right politician has held the presidency of a German state parliament. One report said Rausch, 35, was elected with support from the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) and will hold the post for five years. Another report said the position gives him authority over access to the parliament building.