German security agencies face dilemma after victories for far right and far left
German officials are drafting limits on sensitive briefings as 58,700 right-wing extremists were counted last year and allies fear leaks to Russia or crime groups.
- German officials debated restricting sensitive intelligence sharing following recent state election victories by the AfD and the Left Party, citing concerns over potential data leaks to Russia or criminal organizations.
- Security services fear AfD-led administrations might share secrets with Moscow, while Left Party leaders face scrutiny over alleged links between members and Berlin-based criminal clans, fueling suspicion of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
- Alexander Hoffmann, head of the Christian Social Union's parliamentary group, warned: "This concerns information relating to organised crime – that would be an issue in Berlin. And it's about issues concerning Russia – that would be Saxony-Anhalt."
- Left Party politician Ferat Kocak stated, "There is absolutely no justification for elected representatives having contacts with individuals associated with organised crime," as the party faces pressure to address antisemitism and alleged criminal ties before forming coalitions.
- An AfD spokesperson dismissed accusations as "clutching at straws in an attempt to discredit us in the eyes of the electorate." North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wuest noted preparations are underway, though it remains unclear whether these parties will actually govern.
12 Articles
12 Articles
German security agencies face dilemma after victories for far right and far left
This month's victories for far-right and far-left parties in German state elections have intensified official debate over whether security authorities can restrict secret information that might be passed on to Russia or criminal groups.
Victoria AfD in the elections in Saxony-Anhalt has opened up an unprecedented problem for Germany: how to protect access to classified information if the party reaches government. Federal authorities are looking at limiting access to certain information about Russia, extreme right-wing groups and secret military plans of Germany and its allies. At the heart of the issues is the possibility of sensitive information reaching Moscow, but also the r…
‘Russian sleeper cell’: Can Germany’s far-right AfD be barred from sensitive intel?
The prospect of an AfD-led government in Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt has exacerbated long-standing fears that the far-right Russia-friendly party may gain access to sensitive information of interest to the Kremlin, fuelling debate as to whether and how it can be barred from classified intelligence.
Marc Henrichmann (CDU), Chairman of the Parliamentary Supervisory Board in the Bundestag for the Supervision of Secret Services, considers that in the case of a Berlin Senate led by the Left, consequences in the area of security cooperation are inevitable
The head of the control panel for the secret services is concerned that a left government in Berlin could gain access to sensitive security information. He draws a parallel to the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt.
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- 50% of the sources are Center, 50% of the sources lean Right
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