According to a report by Spiegel, it seems that the positions of the AfD party in Germany were formulated by strategists in Russia. The report mentions an alleged “manifesto” that was supposedly drawn up in the Kremlin’s presidential administration, with the aim of increasing the AfD’s poll numbers and achieving electoral success at all levels. This document paints a dark picture of Germany, criticizing deindustrialization, migration of companies, and the incompetence of politicians.
AfD Chief Tino Chrupalla and other senior party members have denied knowledge of this alleged paper. The report suggests that the Kremlin strategists believe that German politicians should prioritize the interests of Germany and the German people above all else, rather than being guided by values or ideals. This aligns with the AfD’s own stance of advocating for interest-driven policies and criticizing the current government as incompetent.
The document also emphasizes the importance of Germany’s relationship with Russia, echoing sentiments expressed by AfD politicians such as Björn Höcke. When asked about the similarities between the alleged paper and the AfD’s positions, Höcke simply stated, “The same thing is not the same thing.” It is suggested that the AfD’s policies reflect a similar outlook as outlined in the alleged Kremlin document, focusing on national interests and criticizing the values-based approach of the current government.