Kremlin-Fueled Controversy: Did Russia Help Craft AfD’s Political Agenda?

In September 2022, a report by Spiegel revealed that the AfD’s political positions were formulated by strategists in Russia. The report stated that a department head at a meeting with Sergey Kiriyenko, the deputy head of the Kremlin administration, was tasked with developing a new concept for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The goal was to increase the party’s poll numbers and achieve a majority in elections at all levels.

However, AfD Chief Tino Chrupalla dismissed the report as unfounded, stating that he was not aware of any alleged paper developed by the Kremlin. The alleged document paints a negative picture of Germany, mentioning deindustrialization, the migration of companies, and a failing German economy. It also criticizes the current traffic light government and praises past leaders like Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt, and Helmut Kohl.

The content of the document aligns with some AfD politicians’ views, advocating for an interest-driven policy rather than one based on values. The report highlights similarities between the alleged Kremlin paper and the AfD’s stance on issues like deindustrialization, competence of politicians, and the relationship with Russia. While some AfD members deny knowledge of the alleged paper, others see similarities in the messaging.