The AfD has apparently supported the right-extremist “Young Alternative” (JA) over the years through various channels with high sums of money. At least 150,000 euros per year have been flowing directly from party circles and individual AfD members to the association, which has been classified as a securely right-extremist by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution since 2023, according to the news portal T-Online, citing its own information.
The amount could be even much higher. The AfD’s federal treasurer, Carsten Hütter, confirmed to T-Online that the AfD’s federal board has been transferring at least 40,000 euros per year to the JA. Several state associations also paid a yearly amount, reportedly 10,000 euros in some cases. According to T-Online, citing sources from the Brandenburg AfD’s leadership, the association has been transferring 6,000 to 8,000 euros per year in the past.
A large sum also comes from the association’s patron members: According to JA sources, the JA has 500 to 600 patron members, who are also members of the AfD. They are required to pay at least 150 euros per year, but can also give much more. This alone makes at least 75,000 euros per year, the report says.
The AfD’s donations to the JA are not discernible from the party’s balance sheet. The President of the German Bundestag is responsible for reviewing these reports, as the Bundestag’s administration told T-Online in response to a request: “Consequently, there is no knowledge of the Bundestag’s administration about the amount of payments between the AfD and the JA. The Party Law does not require the disclosure of such financial flows.”
The AfD has passed a motion at its party convention in Riesa on Sunday to reform the JA. The youth organization is to be given a new name and in the future be much more controllable by the party. The JA has been an independent association so far.