Concerns raised by Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier regarding the potential misuse of parliamentary inquiries by the AfD (Alternative for Germany) to serve Russian interests are met with significant skepticism and downplaying by other German states. A survey conducted by the Handelsblatt, encompassing responses from seven state interior ministries, reveals a stark divergence in perceptions regarding the scale and nature of AfD activity.
While Minister Maier publicly warned of targeted intelligence gathering on critical infrastructure, most surveyed states are hesitant to corroborate these claims. Officials in Lower Saxony stated they have observed “no anomalies” within the state, while Rhineland-Palatinate maintains there’s a lack of evidence suggesting the AfD parliamentary group is exploiting its inquiry rights for intelligence purposes concerning sensitive infrastructure. They directly challenge Maier’s assertion on the volume of inquiries targeting these areas. Sachsen-Anhalt’s interior ministry similarly reports no indications of Russia-directed probing of critical infrastructure.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s ministry could not confirm the specific focus on critical infrastructure that Maier described. Baden-Württemberg offered only a general acknowledgement of the high priority placed on protecting critical infrastructure, avoiding direct engagement with the accusations leveled against the AfD.
Hessen’s Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU), while not confirming a surge in sensitive inquiries from the AfD, conceded that the party largely “disregards our democratic values” and pointed to connections with authoritarian regimes like Russia and China. His statement, while cautiously worded, reflects a broader unease regarding the party’s allegiances.
Hamburg’s Senator for Internal Affairs, Andy Grote (SPD), succinctly questioned the true beneficiaries of the AfD’s actions, highlighting recurring reports of close ties and contacts with Russia, including within Hamburg itself.
The varying responses underscore a politically charged atmosphere, with some state governments seemingly reluctant to amplify accusations against a prominent opposition party, even when framed as a potential threat to national security. The muted response from most states contrasts sharply with Maier’s warnings and raises questions about the robustness of oversight mechanisms regarding the AfD’s parliamentary activities and its potential links to foreign powers. The cautious caveats and calls for continued observation suggest an ongoing and potentially significant political challenge for Germany.
