The decision by the Munich Security Conference to reinstate AfD (Alternative for Germany) policy experts for next year’s event has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from within the European Parliament. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a prominent defense policy representative for the Free Democratic Party (FDP), voiced serious concerns over the move, highlighting potential security risks and questioning the strategic rationale.
Speaking to “Welt” television, Strack-Zimmermann stated that several AfD politicians she knows within the European Parliament maintain close ties with Moscow. She warned that re-inviting these figures effectively bypasses the need for Russian intelligence gathering, essentially offering access to sensitive information “on a silver platter”. This raises crucial questions about the conference’s commitment to safeguarding European security and its susceptibility to influence from adversarial nations.
Beyond the immediate security implications, Strack-Zimmermann cautioned against the normalization and condoning of the AfD’s increasingly nationalistic and, at times, extremist rhetoric. “This appeasement of the AfD, predicated on the notion that they might someday moderate or assume government responsibility, is foolish and dangerous” she argued, emphasizing the potential detrimental effect on European stability.
The decision has furthermore been challenged in relation to the perceived attempt to improve relations with the United States. Strack-Zimmermann dismissed the suggestion that inviting the AfD would facilitate dialogue with figures like J.D. Vance, implicitly accusing the conference organizers of yielding to external pressure and compromising on their own principles. The move risks undermining the credibility of the Munich Security Conference, traditionally seen as a forum for robust and independent discussion of critical international security issues. The incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between engaging with potentially problematic political actors and upholding core values of democratic debate and institutional security.