Stephan Kramer, President of the Thuringian Constitutional Protection, has criticized the planned participation of several AfD politicians in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Speaking to Handelsblatt, Kramer stated that the trip poses significant security risks from his perspective.
According to Kramer, attending the forum would strengthen Kremlin propaganda, create opportunities for Russian intelligence services to exert influence, and compromise German security interests. While he noted that specific instances of classified information being shared have not been proven, the danger lies in the fact that members of the Bundestag possess access to sensitive or classified material through their parliamentary duties. This includes assessments of the current situation, parliamentary strategies, energy policy, sanctions, and critical infrastructure.
Kramer also views the AfD environment as being too close to Russia. He pointed out that courts have already confirmed instances where Bundestag staffers were denied access because of security-sensitive contacts with Russia, demonstrating that the security concerns are not merely theoretical. Although Kramer affirmed that members of parliament are fundamentally independent due to their mandate, he stressed that this does not mean they are immune from political or security responsibilities.
Furthermore, Kramer warned that the St. Petersburg Economic Forum functions as a central stage for the Kremlin. He observed that when Western politicians participate, they help Russia maintain an image of normalcy and connectivity, even amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Given the increased risk of political influence from Russia since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, he believes this participation is deeply problematic.
