German far-right AfD faces allegations of spying for Russia

Wednesday 22 October 2025 - 14:00

By: Sahili Aya

German far-right AfD faces allegations of spying for Russia

Berlin, October 22, 2025 — Germany’s far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is facing allegations of espionage on behalf of Russia and other authoritarian states, as officials raise concerns about its parliamentary activity.

Authorities have pointed to “problematic parliamentary questions” submitted by the AfD targeting sensitive areas of critical infrastructure. Georg Maier, Interior Minister of Thuringia, said the party appears to be working “from a list ordered by the Kremlin,” and expressed growing concerns over the potential misuse of parliamentary oversight.

Konstantin von Notz, deputy chair of the Bundestag’s intelligence oversight committee, added that the AfD may be collaborating with Russia, China, and North Korea with the intention of weakening Germany, spying on critical infrastructure, and sabotaging national security.

Over the past year, AfD representatives in Thuringia submitted 47 questions focusing on transport, digital networks, energy and water supply, as well as police and military technology — particularly drone detection and defense systems.

The AfD has rejected the accusations, calling them “absurd,” and insists its parliamentary questions are intended to highlight infrastructure vulnerabilities. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described the AfD as the government’s “main political opponent” ahead of a key election year. Founded in 2013, the AfD came second in the federal elections last February and has recently surpassed the CDU in several polls.