The dispute among German parties over how to approach the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has expanded with new developments in Berlin, Saint Petersburg and Hesse. The German federal government has criticized the trip of AfD politicians to the economic forum hosted in Saint Petersburg by Vladimir Putin, while the administrative court in Wiesbaden has ruled that the Hesse branch of the AfD may be monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
The AfD's participation in the Saint Petersburg economic forum has drawn criticism in Berlin, partly because the event is described not only as a business gathering but also as a showcase of Putin's allies. The Russian president invited guests to his home city at a time when the Russian invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing.
This new development follows earlier tensions surrounding the AfD's growth in the federal states. According to an earlier Infratest poll, the party reached 41 percent support in Saxony-Anhalt, gaining a substantial lead over the CDU. Its plans in family policy, possible appointments to public office in the event of a takeover of government, and proposals to change migration, education and cultural policy have also sparked discussion.
The CDU had previously sent AfD members of parliament pre-drafted statements for leaving the party. Chancellor Friedrich Merz likewise rejects cooperation with the AfD, and according to accounts of his remarks, he justified this by saying the party wants to turn Germany backward. Onet Wiadomosci ↗
The designated FDP Secretary-General Martin Hagen has also joined the debate over isolating the AfD, arguing that attempts to weaken the AfD through a political cordon have failed. In the near term, pressure will continue for democratic parties to clarify their stance toward the AfD, its foreign contacts, and oversight by security authorities. Tagesspiegel ↗
AfD Faces Criticism Over Trip to Putin and Surveillance in Hesse
On Record
👤
Vladimir Putin
Prezident Ruska
01.09.2026
„derzeit komplexen geopolitischen Lage"
Vyjadrenie na summite SCO v Biškeku
👤
Friedrich Merz
Kancelár Nemecka
17.06.2026
„Tag der Hoffnung"
Hodnotenie vývoja na summite G7 vo vzťahu k Ukrajine
👤
Vladimir Putin
Prezident Ruskej federácie
10.05.2026
„Myslím, že ukrajinský konflikt sa blíži ku koncu"
Vyjadrenie na summite v Moskve počas oslav výročia víťazstva
👤
Friedrich Merz
Kancelár Nemecka
20.03.2026
„Čo sa dnes stalo v Rade, je neprijateľné a v budúcnosti sa tomu zabráni. Je to akt vážnej nelojality."
Tlačová konferencia po summite EÚ, reakcia na Orbánovo veto
This summary was generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies. Please verify information in the original sources below.
Sources (3)
🔥 You might also like
📰
Crime
AfD leads union by nine points in poll
The dispute among German parties over their approach to Alternative for Germany has been joined by a new opinion poll. AfD is nine points ahead...
📰
Crime
CDU sends AfD lawmakers pre-drafted resignation statements
The dispute between German parties over how to deal with the Alternative for Germany continues, as the CDU sent all AfD MPs pre-drafted resignation statements.
📰
World Politics
Estonia moves troops closer to the Russian border
Estonia is permanently moving part of its forces closer to the border with Russia and is preparing new defense capabilities. Financial Times reported on the mov …
© HotInfo
Geographic locations
From our newsroom original
All →
Burnham to host Zelensky in London, Britain to boost support for Ukraine
Prague and the Central Bohemian Region Want to Stand Up to Babiš's Pressure
Pope Leo XIV successfully undergoes surgery in Rome
What the Czech media are writing about: ANO lost in the big cities, support fell below thirty percent. Coalitions are bypassing it in many of them
Felipe VI in Ceuta: Sánchez confirms, more than two months on, that Moroccan warships entered Ceuta's waters
Meloni's electoral law: lawyers are preparing 30 lawsuits to the Constitutional Court, the ruling may come only after the elections
In Zurich, police were bombarded with rockets and stones, no one has been arrested yet
Mecca Alliance: Riyadh airport closed until October 17, pact awaits vote in Ankara