AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt election as Bundestag votes on MP reprimand

In Germany, the AfD has achieved a significant victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election. AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund stated that the party has a “clear mandate from the government” and emphasized that they will not compromise their principles, noting that new elections would be necessary in an emergency.

Separately, the German Bundestag held a vote regarding an objection by AfD Member of Parliament Martin Sichert against a formal reprimand issued by Bundestag President Julia Klöckner. The reprimand followed Sichert’s comments during a debate on health insurance legislation, where he accused supporting lawmakers of being “liars” and being responsible for “thousands of deaths” due to potential cuts in medical care. Sichert argued his remarks were an appeal to conscience rather than personal attacks, while the President had characterized his conduct as unparliamentary.