Alleged Russian Manipulation: AfD’s Strategic Positioning and Negative View of Germany

A report by Spiegel claims that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) positions were formulated by strategists in Russia. According to the report, in September 2022, a department head at a meeting with the deputy head of the Kremlin administration, Sergey Kiriyenko, was tasked with developing a new concept for the AfD party. The goal is to increase the AfD’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.