The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) are accusing the Alternative for Germany (AfD) of exploiting foreign travel opportunities to actively stir anti-German sentiment abroad, raising serious concerns about the party’s strategy and its alignment with external forces.
Alexander Hoffmann, CSU parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag, stated in an interview with “Der Spiegel” that the AfD’s actions constitute a “more than concerning” misuse of parliamentary privileges. He suggested the party’s calculation is deliberately provocative: fueling instability to bolster its electoral performance. While acknowledging the legal difficulties in directly preventing such travel, Hoffmann urged the Bundestag administration to explore all possible avenues to curtail this perceived abuse.
CDU parliamentarian Knut Abraham expressed profound alarm, drawing parallels between the AfD’s tactics and those of the “MAGA” movement led by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Having served as a department head at the German Embassy in Washington, Abraham argues both groups share a common goal: the dismantling of the European Union. He highlights that MAGA aims to undermine the EU’s economic strength, while the AfD targets its political influence, creating a “veritable threat” to Germany’s prosperity and peace. He observed a pattern of internal subversion by the AfD and external pressure emanating from the MAGA movement, representing a coordinated attack on the foundations of European integration.
Roderich Kiesewetter, CDU’s spokesperson for foreign affairs within the Bundestag and deputy chairman of the parliamentary group’s foreign affairs working group, further elaborated on the issue, labeling the AfD’s behavior as part of a broader strategy aimed at “hollowing out” German democracy. The party, he argues, is utilizing democratic freedoms and resources to advance its anti-establishment agenda. Kiesewetter expressed significant worry that the AfD is partnering with the MAGA movement to disparage Germany’s liberal democratic order internationally, simultaneously building a global network of right-wing actors. He reiterated his support for a review process examining the AfD’s activities, believing it a “necessary effort” to safeguard democratic institutions.
The accusations have intensified scrutiny of the AfD’s foreign engagements and sparked a debate about the limits of parliamentary privileges when those privileges are perceived to be utilized for overtly anti-German and destabilizing purposes.
