Germany news: Söder demands CDU supports of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt reveal themselves

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• Bavarian state premier Markus Söder has accused some conservative bloc members in Saxony-Anhalt of being cowards
• Bärbel Bas, Germany's education minister and the co-chair of the SPD, has resigned amid coalition infighting with Chancellor Merz's CDU

Here are the latest headlines and reports from across Germany on Monday, October 12: 

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Skip next section Söder: Those who voted for AfD speaker should show 'backbone'

October 12, 2026

Söder: Those who voted for AfD speaker should show 'backbone'

"Do you want to go somewhere else? Then just say so," Bavarian leader Markus Söder said during an interview with public broadcaster ARD. 

As a member of the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of Chancellor Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), Söder was referencing bloc members in the state of Saxony-Anhalt who are believed to have voted for a member of the far-right in a secret ballot.

Last week, Tobias Rausch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) — whose chapter in Saxony-Anhalt is classified as right-wing extremist — was elected state parliamentary speaker.

This marked the first time the AfD has seen a member elected to such a position, and the first time in postwar Germany that a right-wing extremist has risen to this rank.

AfD lawmaker elected speaker in Saxony-Anhalt

The populist BSW party had declared their intention to support Rausch's nomination alongside the AfD, but his win with 48 votes means that other lawmakers must have voted for him too. It is strongly suspected that these were members of the conservative CDU.

Rausch's election prompted outrage across Germany, including from CDU members who have accused their colleagues of abandoning the so-called "firewall" — the agreement amongst the country's mainstream parties not to support the AfD.

Söder called it "pretty poor form," from the CDU members in Saxony-Anhalt, saying they should "at least have the backbone" to make their decision public.

https://p.dw.com/p/5O9DT

Skip next section Labor minister and SPD co-chair Bärbel Bas resigns

October 12, 2026

Labor minister and SPD co-chair Bärbel Bas resigns

Citing "open attacks" by members of senior coalition partners the CDU, Bärbel Bas has stepped down as co-leader of the SPD and as federal labor minister.

She also said a recent death in the family had influenced her decision to resign.

You can read our full report on the latest trial for Chancellor Merz's coalition here. 

https://p.dw.com/p/5O9Gx

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

October 12, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Good morning from a crisp, autumnal Bonn!

Today Germany is talking about Bärbel Bas, federal labor minister and co-chair of the Social Democrats resigning amid coalition tensions with Chancellor Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU).

Additionally, Bavaria's Markus Söder has called on CDU members who voted for the election of a far-right parliamentary speaker in Saxony-Anhalt come clean about breaking the "firewall" against supporting the AfD.