Does the AfD have connections to Russia? In a current hour of the Bundestag, the traffic light parties, the Union and the Left agreed: the AfD and Russia were allies – which in turn criticized a “witch hunt”.
Politicians from the traffic light parties, the Union and the Left accused the AfD in a Bundestag Current Hour of working against Germany’s security and supporting hybrid Russian warfare in the West.
Influence campaign of the Kremlin revealed
The reason for the debate were media reports about a Russian disinformation campaign in the European Union. In this context, allegations were also made against the AfD politician Petr Bystron, who not only has a mandate in the Bundestag but is also running as a candidate for his party in the European elections.
The Czech newspaper “Denik N” had reported that Bystron was suspected of having been in contact with the pro-Russian Internet platform “Voice of Europe”, which the Prague cabinet had recently placed on the national sanctions list. He may also have accepted money. “Voice of Europe” published, among other things, interviews with Bystron and his party colleague Maximilian Krah.
Bystron had already denied the allegations. The AfD said on Monday that he “vehemently contradicted this and will put all statements made in writing.” The party leadership is committed to “comprehensive clarification”.
Mihalic: “Trojan horses”
The First Parliamentary Director of the Green Party, Irene Mihalic, said in the debate that the presumption of innocence naturally applies. “But whether money or not, ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to the AfD’s connections to Putin’s Russia, this party has long since lost its innocence.”
Mihalic called the AfD a security risk for Germany. “The AfD allows itself to be used as a Trojan horse for Russia’s hybrid attacks and is thus clearly against our democracy.”
Wiese: “mouthpiece for the Kremlin”
Speakers from the SPD, Greens, FDP and Union specifically criticized AfD politicians’ trips to Russia and Belarus as election observers or visits to the Russian embassy. They accused the AfD of spreading narratives of Russian war propaganda.
“Apply for a mandate in the Russian State Duma. These are the interests you represent, that’s where you actually belong,” said SPD parliamentary group deputy Dirk Wiese. He accused the AfD of being “the mouthpiece for the Kremlin.” The party is “the representative of the interests of those who do not want this Europe”. He called on the AfD in the Bundestag to put their “financial flows on the table”. “Here is your chance,” he said to the group.
FDP MP Konstantin Kuhle complained that the “systematic infiltration of Russia” was still not being taken seriously in this country. There are “many institutions” that can be harnessed to Putin’s cart. Apart from BSW boss Sahra Wagenknecht, there is no one in Germany who is “as loyal to Putin as the AfD.” The party is an integral part of the hybrid Russian war machine.
Renner: “Strategic partnership”
CDU member of the Bundestag Christoph de Vries referred to Russia’s “constant destabilization campaigns”. The freedom of Europe and Germany is threatened by the Kremlin more than it has been for many decades.
President Vladimir Putin is trying to create a network of supporters across Europe. “In Germany he has also found his useful idiots and enforcers in the AfD.” Many AfD MPs do not act in Germany’s interests, but rather serve Russia.
Martina Renner from the Left Party said Russia and the far right in Europe had a “strategic partnership.” “Common values and goals make the Russian leadership and the AfD close allies.”
AfD: “Another non-starter”
MP Stefan Keuter spoke for the AfD. He accused the traffic light of wanting to use the debate to campaign. Its only aim is to damage the opposition in the Bundestag. Bystron stated that he was not offered any money and did not accept any.
“That’s a fact, that’s the end of the matter. Another nonsense. You have no evidence and are trying to damage a family man,” said Keuter. He spoke of “attempts to damage,” “defamation” and a “witch hunt” against Bystron and his family.
Green Party deputy Konstantin von Notz referred to Keuter. The fact that he, of all people, is being sent into this debate, “who is in Russia so often that you don’t know whether he is a member of the German Bundestag or the Duma. That really puts the crown on everything,” said von Notz.