The fractions are legally neutral and independent working groups of Members of the Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, equipped with very own rights and duties. They contribute to the legislative, control, election, and public function of the State Parliament. The parliamentary fractions serve the political decision-making, especially by organizing the delegation of the work among their members and by preparing and communicating common bills.
Parliamentary fractions are usually formed out of all delegates of a party and function as a “roof” for the common, well-adjusted targeting of the political goals. At least 5 members of a political party must merge together to start a fraction. In the State Parliament of Saxony- Anhalt of the 9th Legislative period are 83 delegates from 6 political fractions: AfD, CDU, SPD, BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN, Die Linke and BSW.
The strength of the single parties has consequences for the political works. This means that it is decisive for the selection of the committees and the committee’s president, as well as for the spreading of speaking times. The fractions have their own rights to request and to submit motions, coming from the delegates. Those fractions, that do not support the State Government, have an additional right, called the “Oppositionszuschlag”.