AfD Faces Scrutiny Over Nearly €1 Million Donation From Mysterious Source

The donation, linked to a little-known businessman tied to the Böttcher AG board, raises questions about its origin and legality.

Horst Jan Winter, a businessman from Blankenhain, Thüringen, donated €999,990 to the AfD, just weeks before the Bundestag election.
Winter, who is listed as an Aufsichtsrat (board member) of the Böttcher AG, has an unclear financial background and limited public profile.
The donation has prompted speculation that Winter might be a 'straw man' for another donor, potentially violating Germany's party financing laws.
AfD Treasurer Carsten Hütter stated that Winter is not personally known to the party and declined to clarify the source of the funds.
The Bundestagsverwaltung (Federal Administration) is expected to investigate the donation's legitimacy, with past AfD violations of donation laws adding to the controversy.