The AfD’s campaign launch for the European elections is overshadowed by reports about the two top candidates Krah and Bystron. Both stay away from the event. Party leader Chrupalla speaks of a “political thriller”.
The AfD has started its campaign for the European elections in Donaueschingen, Baden-Württemberg.
After reports about possible Russia and China involvement of leading AfD politicians, party leader Tino Chrupalla called on his party to show unity. “We will show with the election campaign that we cannot be defeated so quickly and that we stand together as one,” said Chrupalla in his speech.
Possible connections to China and Russia
The AfD’s top candidate for the European elections, Maximilian Krah, and number two on the electoral list, Petr Bystron, have been in the headlines for weeks because of possible connections to pro-Russian networks. After media reports about possible monetary payments to both politicians, public prosecutors are checking whether investigations should be started.
Krah is also examining whether there should be an investigation into possible Chinese payments. An arrest warrant was issued against one of his employees on Wednesday on suspicion of espionage.
Neither Krah nor Byston appear Campaign start
Both Krah and Bystron, neither of whom took part in the start of the election campaign, assured the AfD leadership that they had not taken any money. “We will make sure that opinions and positions in the AfD will never be for sale,” said Chrupalla. Anyone who can be proven to be for sale must also go. But the party leader also added: “It also has to be proven and demonstrated.”
In the end, the AfD will emerge stronger from this “political thriller,” said Chrupalla and thanked the top candidate. With his decision not to take part in the start of the election campaign, he sent the signal: “Today shouldn’t be about Krah, Krah, Krah, but about the AfD.”