The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s platform was allegedly formulated by strategists in Russia, according to a report by Spiegel. In September 2022, a department head met with the deputy head of the Kremlin administration, Sergey Kiriyenko, and was tasked with developing a new concept for the AfD party. The goal was to increase the party’s poll numbers and achieve a majority in elections at all levels.
Despite this claim, AfD Chief Tino Chrupalla dismissed the report as unfounded and stated that he was not aware of any alleged paper developed by the Kremlin. However, some members of the AfD see similarities in their messaging and agree that Russia has played a significant role in shaping their views. The document paints a negative picture of Germany, mentioning deindustrialization, migration of companies, and an 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 who advocate 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 relationship with Russia. While some members deny knowledge of the alleged paper, others see it as further evidence of Russia’s involvement in shaping Europe’s political landscape.
