German MPs Accuse Russia of Spreading Disinformation to Aid Far-Right Ahead of Regional Elections

As Germany approaches fiercely contested regional elections, some German lawmakers and anti-Kremlin activists suspect that Russia is stoking division in sensitive areas, discrediting mainstream parties, and spreading disinformation to assist far-right forces.

According to AFP, the eastern German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania—both formerly under communist rule—will hold elections on September 6 and 20, respectively. In recent polls, the anti-immigration, pro-Russian Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads in both states.

The AfD aims to seize control of regional governments. If successful, it would mark the first time since 1945 that a far-right party governs a German state, delivering a blow to the struggling governing coalition.

In recent months, the volume of disinformation posts on social platforms such as X, TikTok, and Bluesky has surged.

For lawmakers focused on security, Moscow is the prime suspect. They accuse Russia of attempting to destabilize Germany with the help of the AfD. The AfD denies these claims, calling itself a victim of political manipulation.

The anti-Kremlin anonymous activist group Antibot4Navalny reported detecting the first wave of disinformation in June, involving fake websites mimicking reputable outlets like AFP, designed to inflame divisions between eastern and western Germany. A second wave in July used counterfeit sites impersonating major German media such as ARD and Deutsche Welle (DW), falsely accusing politicians of corruption and sexual offenses.

Notably, the AfD and another pro-Russian far-left minor party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), were not targeted in these smear campaigns.

Konstantin von Notz, vice-chair of Germany’s parliamentary intelligence oversight committee and a Green Party federal lawmaker, stated that Russia and far-right parties are clearly “working in tandem,” a tactic increasingly common in modern elections. He criticized the government’s inaction and urged authorities to take the threat seriously.

The Russian embassy dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous” in a statement to AFP, warning that Germany and Europe are on a “highly dangerous path” contrary to the interests of European citizens.

Marc Henrichmann, chairman of the intelligence oversight committee and a CDU member, said Russia is waging a “cognitive warfare” campaign aimed at spreading fear and dividing Germany.