Overview
- Union and SPD forced a special debate on alleged pro‑Kremlin conduct, with senior MPs calling the AfD a helper of Russian interests and even a “Russia‑loyal sleeper cell,” while Greens and Left echoed the criticism.
- Defense committee chair Thomas Röwekamp cited a pattern of highly detailed AfD inquiries on Bundeswehr capabilities and critical infrastructure, which reporting says has alarmed senior Defense Ministry officials.
- A Berlin administrative court upheld denying a personalized Bundestag pass to an AfD aide because Russia‑linked contacts posed tangible risks to parliament’s functioning.
- Internal documents reported by ARD show AfD MPs Steffen Kotré and Rainer Rothfuß plan mid‑November travel to Sochi funded by the faction; t‑online reports Rothfuß confirmed a panel appearance with Dmitri Medvedev, and further attendees were indicated.
- The AfD rejects the accusations as baseless political theater and demands proof, and authorities have not presented public evidence of criminal espionage by sitting AfD MPs.