Security politicians from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) are demanding robust safeguards in anticipation of a potential victory by the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
This push comes after Federal Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) warned against disseminating classified information to prospective AfD ministers. Marc Henrichmann, the chairman of the secret service oversight committee, confirmed to the “Handelsblatt” that “Minister Pistorius is naming a real problem, not a political distraction.”
Henrichmann pointed to the existing proximity of certain segments of the AfD to Russian networks. These connections span a wide range of activities, from parliamentary inquiries in state parliaments to “questionable” meetings with representatives of Russia at embassies, extending even to staff members with ties to Russian intelligence services. The CDU politician stated firmly that “anyone who receives classified information must unequivocally be loyal to the liberal-democratic basic order.” He emphasized that in every government department dealing with confidential matters, whether Defence, Interior, or Foreign Affairs, strict security measures must be guaranteed to ensure the information only serves the interests of the Federal Republic.
Echoing these concerns, Sebastian Fiedler, the SPD parliamentary spokesperson, maintains that given the political climate, it is necessary to restrict ministerial staff in an AfD government from access to intelligence information. Fiedler told the “Handelsblatt” that anything less “would be a significant danger to our country and the European Union,” citing the evident “collaboration” with Russia as justification for this concern.
