Party Feud Erupts Over Russia Relations
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is experiencing a major leadership feud over whether to maintain or distance itself from Kremlin ties. Recent plans by several AfD lawmakers to participate in a symposium in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi have sparked fierce debate within the party and drawn harsh criticism from the German public and political establishment.
Allegations of Espionage and Kremlin Connections
Senior German politicians and intelligence officials have accused some AfD members of acting as possible agents for Russian interests, noting that multiple detailed parliamentary inquiries filed by AfD lawmakers appeared to align with Moscow’s agenda. The controversy deepened with reports that party representatives had scheduled a meeting with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, a key supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—a meeting that AfD leaders have since forbidden.
Leadership Response and Looking Ahead
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel openly criticized her party colleagues’ Russia trip, arguing it serves no practical purpose for German politics and promising stricter enforcement and possible penalties for unsanctioned foreign travel by party members. The internal split reflects growing dissatisfaction among the AfD’s leadership and rank-and-file, with unresolved questions over the party’s position on Russia likely to shape its public image ahead of future elections.