Kathrine Frich
Critics say a flood of detailed questions risks exposing sensitive security data.
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party is facing mounting accusations that it is exploiting parliamentary tools to uncover information of potential interest to Moscow.
The controversy centers on whether routine democratic oversight is being pushed into dangerous territory.
Questions under scrutiny
Opponents of the AfD accuse the party of attempting to extract information about weapons supply routes and drone defenses that could benefit the Kremlin, Politico reported.
Particular attention has focused on Ringo Mühlmann, an AfD lawmaker in the eastern state of Thuringia, where the party is the strongest political force.
Using his parliamentary rights, Mühlmann has repeatedly asked the regional government for detailed data on military transit and drone defense.
In one written question submitted in September, he asked:
“What information does the state government have on the extent of military transit transports through Thuringia since 2022 (broken down by year, type of transport [road, rail], number of transits and known stops)?”
Security concerns
In June, Mühlmann submitted eight separate inquiries in a single day about drones and counter-drone capabilities.
“What technical drone defense systems are known to the Thuringian police (e.g. jamming devices, net launchers, electromagnetic pulse devices) and to what extent have these been tested to verify their usefulness in law enforcement?” he wrote.
Centrist politicians say such questions could reveal patterns useful to Russian intelligence and aid so-called hybrid warfare against Europe.
Thuringia’s interior minister Georg Maier told Handelsblatt: “You can’t help but get the impression that the AfD is working on a list of tasks that have been assigned to it by the Kremlin through its investigations.”
He later told Politico that he was struck by the party’s “incredible interest in critical infrastructure and security authorities.”
AfD rejects claims
AfD leaders deny acting on Moscow’s behalf. Party co-leader Tino Chrupalla dismissed the accusations on television last month, saying:
“These are all legitimate questions from a member of parliament who is concerned and who takes the concerns and needs of citizens seriously.”
Mühlmann, a former police officer, also rejected suggestions he was serving Russian interests.
“It is not my job to limit my questions, but the minister’s to provide the answers,” he told Politico.
Pattern of pressure
Security officials warn that the sheer volume of questions can itself be revealing.
Marc Henrichmann, who oversees Germany’s intelligence services in parliament, said individual inquiries may seem harmless, but together they form a broader picture of sensitive activity.
Data cited by Spiegel show AfD lawmakers have submitted more than 7,000 security-related questions since 2020, more than any other party.
Researchers say the tactic has been used for years to overwhelm ministries and extract information, regardless of intent.
Sources: Politico, Handelsblatt, Spiegel, Digi24.
