Baden-Württemberg elects new parliament leadership, excluding AfD from key roles

A strategic move by Greens and CDU reshapes parliament power. AfD remains sidelined despite gaining 18.8% of the vote.

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2026 May 12 . 10:03 PM

1 min read

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Baden-Württemberg elects new parliament leadership, excluding AfD from key roles

Baden-Württemberg’s state parliament has elected its new leadership following the March 8 election. The Greens and CDU secured key roles, while the AfD was excluded from a vice-presidential post. The AfD emerged as the third-largest party but remains the strongest opposition force. The state election on March 8 saw the AfD win 18.8% of the vote. This result made it the third-largest party and the leading opposition group in the parliament.

During the leadership vote, Thomas Strobl of the CDU was elected parliament president with 103 votes. Muhterem Aras of the Greens became vice president after receiving 106 votes in favour. The AfD’s Joachim Kuhs, deputy parliamentary group leader, received 33 votes but was not selected.

The governing Greens and CDU abolished the position of second vice president. This move effectively denied the AfD a vice-presidential role in the state parliament. The AfD holds 18.8% of the vote and leads the opposition but has no vice-presidential representation. The Greens and CDU now control the parliament’s top positions. The abolition of the second vice president post solidifies their majority.