Sebastian Fiedler, the SPD parliamentary spokesperson for domestic affairs, predicts an increase in disinformation ahead of state elections in Eastern Germany. He attributed this expectation to the noticeable drop in asylum applications, stating to the “Handelsblatt” (Monday edition) that this trend is “pure poison” for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Fiedler argued that Putin is losing a key tool for destabilizing the European Union and its democracies through his hybrid warfare tactics. He added, “The AfD, as a multiplier for Putin’s propaganda, is losing a vital element of its policy”. Consequently, he anticipates a “heightened appearance of disinformation campaigns” particularly leading up to the upcoming state elections.
Conversely, Alexander Throm, the CDU parliamentary spokesperson for domestic affairs, views the declining asylum application numbers as validation of the CDU’s migration policy. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt”, he claimed, “This is crucial not least for the peace of our society”. He further noted that surveys no longer list migration as the number one problem, asserting, “In doing so, we deny the AfD fertile ground on a critical policy area and thus protect our democracy”.