‘Russian sleeper cell’: Can Germany’s far-right AfD be barred from sensitive intel?
Summary
Germany’s far-right AfD party recently won regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt and is trying to form a government there. Officials worry the AfD could access sensitive intelligence and possibly reveal spies or share information with Russia, raising security concerns in Germany and among its allies.Key Facts
- AfD won 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, a German state with broad regional powers.
- The German domestic intelligence agency (BfV) considers right-wing extremists the biggest threat to democracy.
- AfD’s national party is labeled a “suspected extremist group” and the Saxony-Anhalt chapter is considered “confirmed extremist” and under surveillance.
- If AfD controls the state interior ministry, it could access files about intelligence agents spying on them.
- French intelligence told Germany it will withhold sensitive info on far-right and Russia if AfD governs Saxony-Anhalt.
- Officials fear AfD might expose spies and share classified security information with Russia, especially during tensions around the Ukraine war.
- Defence Minister Boris Pistorius opposes giving AfD officials access to classified information.
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