Concerns raised by the Thuringian Interior Minister, Georg Maier, alleging potential misuse of parliamentary inquiries by the AfD (Alternative for Germany) to serve Russian interests are encountering a muted response from other German states, revealing a significant divergence in assessments of the party’s activities. A survey conducted by the Handelsblatt, encompassing seven state interior ministries, indicates a widespread lack of concrete evidence supporting Maier’s accusations of targeted reconnaissance of critical infrastructure by AfD parliamentarians.
While Maier emphasized a troubling surge in inquiries targeting sensitive sectors, officials in Lower Saxony asserted they have identified “no irregularities” within the state. Similarly, Rhineland-Palatinate’s ministry stated it possesses “no knowledge” suggesting the AfD’s state parliament faction is actively exploiting its right to question authorities to specifically probe critical infrastructure. The volume of inquiries Maier described remains unconfirmed by Rhineland-Palatinate officials. Sachsen-Anhalt’s interior ministry echoes this skepticism, reporting no indications of Russia-directed efforts to explore critical infrastructure shortcomings.
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, authorities maintain the focus on critical infrastructure alleged by Thuringia cannot be definitively established. Baden-Württemberg’s interior ministry, while acknowledging the importance of protecting critical infrastructure as a priority, declined to directly address Maier’s assertions.
Hessen’s Interior Minister, Roman Poseck (CDU), confirmed a lack of observed increases in AfD parliamentary initiatives and inquiries concerning sensitive issues. While downplaying immediate evidence, Poseck recognized the AfD’s broader disregard for “our democratic values” citing connections to authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China.
Hamburg’s Senator for the Interior, Andy Grote (SPD), honed in on the underlying motivations, directly questioning in whose interest the AfD operates. He flagged the “striking” pattern of persistent and close connections between the party and Russia, even within Hamburg itself, fueling suspicion and demanding further scrutiny.
The contrasting perspectives highlight a complex political landscape. While some regional authorities remain unconvinced by Maier’s claims, the recurring theme of the AfD’s problematic links with Russia and its apparent disregard for democratic principles, warrants ongoing vigilance and a critical evaluation of the party’s activities, regardless of immediate evidentiary confirmation. The debate underscores the inherent tension between freedom of inquiry and the protection of national security in an era of heightened geopolitical risk.