Leader of Germany’s far-right AfD looks to rein in party’s Russia junkets, amid spying claims
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Alternative for Germany co-chairwoman Alice Weidel has sought to make the AfD a major force in German politics.
PHOTO: EPA
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- AfD co-leader Alice Weidel criticised party members' planned trip to Russia amid espionage allegations and close Kremlin ties.
- German lawmakers accuse AfD politicians of spying for Russia with sensitive parliamentary inquiries; Sochi trip raised in debate.
- Weidel defends AfD's Russia stance but sees no gain from Sochi visit, promising stricter foreign travel rules with penalties.
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BERLIN - The co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) on Nov 11 criticised party colleagues for agreeing to travel to Russia as the far-right party faces allegations of possible espionage and cosying up to the Kremlin.
Several AfD politicians announced plans to attend a symposium
“I cannot understand what they are actually supposed to do there, to put it bluntly,” AfD co-chair Alice Weidel told reporters.
Last week, senior lawmakers from other German political parties – including the conservative chairman of Germany’s intelligence oversight committee – accused AfD politicians of spying for Russia
The upcoming trip to Sochi was raised repeatedly during a parliament debate on the allegations, along with other close ties that some AfD politicians maintain with Russia.
A meeting with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, a hardline supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was reportedly on the agenda but has since been forbidden by AfD leaders.
Ms Weidel, who has sought to make the AfD a major force in German politics, defended the party’s more open stance towards Russia but said there is very little to be gained from the Sochi visit.
One AfD MP, Mr Rainer Rothfuss, had been talked out of the trip, Ms Weidel said.
Another, Mr Steffen Kotre, has stuck to his plans.
Ms Weidel promised an overhaul of how the AfD approves foreign travel for party members, and said that guidance would be strictly enforced with penalties including expulsion.
“The process must be clearly structured, because things cannot continue like this in the future,” Ms Weidel said.
“There is a great deal of dissatisfaction, precisely because these trips serve no purpose whatsoever.” AFP
