Accusations Against AfD: A Threat to National Security?
German lawmakers have raised serious concerns about the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, accusing it of acting as a “sleeper cell loyal to Russia” during a recent Bundestag debate. The allegations suggest that the AfD may be engaging in activities that could compromise national security, particularly in relation to the German armed forces and critical infrastructure.
Christian Democratic Union (CDU) MP Marc Heinrichmass highlighted the extent of these concerns, noting that the AfD parliamentary group submitted 47 inquiries within a year regarding the Bundeswehr and other sensitive areas. Henrichmann, a member of the Parliamentary Control Committee overseeing intelligence services, claimed the AfD was “being led around the ring by the Kremlin on a leash.” This accusation implies that the party may be working under the influence of Russian interests, potentially undermining Germany’s sovereignty.
The debate came after a request by the CDU/CSU and SPD to investigate the parties’ relationships with Russia. SPD deputy parliamentary group leader Sonja Eichwede criticized the AfD, calling it a “stooge of Russian interests.” She cited the party’s allegedly Moscow-friendly rhetoric and trips to Russia as evidence of its alignment with Russian goals.
Classified Information and Security Risks
One of the most alarming aspects of the AfD’s activities is the classified nature of some of its inquiries. In June, an AfD enquiry containing more than 50 questions requested information on the operational status of Bundeswehr drone equipment and strategies for “defending against hostile drones.” The federal government classified multiple responses as “VS – for official use only,” refusing to answer over 10 questions. The government stated that disclosure could risk revealing details about state interests and the future ability of the Bundeswehr to fulfill its tasks.
Thuringia Interior Minister Georg Maier warned weeks ago that the AfD has been misusing its right to ask parliamentary questions to investigate critical infrastructure. He expressed growing concern over the increasing intensity and depth of these inquiries.
Drones and Espionage Concerns
Recent incidents involving Russian drones have heightened fears about potential espionage activities. Drones believed to be from Russia have paralyzed German airports on several occasions, reportedly due to operations conducted by low-level agents. These agents are often recruited via social media and paid small sums to carry out tasks such as vandalism, surveillance, or arson.
Concerns center on whether the AfD’s inquiries could provide valuable information to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The party’s actions have raised questions about whether they are using their parliamentary privileges to gather intelligence that could benefit foreign states.
AfD’s Response and Travel Plans
In response to the accusations, AfD deputy parliamentary group leader Markus Frohnmaier dismissed the debate as an “embarrassing election manoeuvre.” He argued that if the party posed genuine security risks, “government-controlled security agencies” would have “imprisoned us a long time ago.”
Frohnmaier, who is considered close to the Kremlin, recently abandoned spring travel plans to Russia following criticism. However, public broadcaster ARD reported that AfD MPs Steffen Kotré and Rainer Rothfuß will travel to Sochi on 13 November for an “international symposium in the BRICS-Europe format.” Rothfuß plans to give a lecture at the event, where he has repeatedly criticized German and EU Russia policy on the social media platform X as “anti-Russia war propaganda.”
Parliamentary Questions and Security Concerns
Parliamentary groups and parties have the right to submit questions requesting written government information on various topics. However, concerns have recently grown over the potential misuse of this instrument for intelligence gathering in support of foreign states.
Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier raised the alarm in an interview with Handelsblatt, warning that the AfD’s questions about Germany’s infrastructure were of “increasing intensity and depth of detail.” This has prompted calls for greater scrutiny of the party’s activities and a reassessment of how parliamentary inquiries are used.