Berlin: The co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has openly criticized members of her own party for planning a trip to Russia, as the party faces serious allegations related to espionage and alignment with the Kremlin. Alice Weidel, the AfD's co-chair, expressed her disapproval on Tuesday regarding the decision of several party colleagues to attend a symposium in Sochi, a Russian Black Sea resort, particularly in light of the strained relations between Germany and Moscow.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, these plans have sparked significant backlash within Germany, especially after accusations were made last week by senior lawmakers. Among the accusers was the conservative chairman of Germany's intelligence oversight committee, who alleged that AfD members might be engaging in espionage activities for Russia. This accusation was based on numerous detailed parliamentary inquiries submitted by AfD politicians on sensitive topics.
The planned Sochi visit became a focal point during a parliamentary debate concerning these allegations. It was also noted that some AfD politicians have maintained close ties with Russia. Initially, a meeting with Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and strong advocate of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was part of the agenda but has since been prohibited by AfD leadership.
Weidel has been striving to elevate the AfD's standing in German politics, advocating for a more open approach toward Russia. However, she emphasized that the Sochi trip offers little benefit. While AfD MP Rainer Rothfuss was persuaded against participating, another member, Steffen Kotre, remains committed to attending.
In response to these developments, Weidel announced plans to reform the party's process for approving foreign travel. She stated that new guidelines would be strictly enforced, with potential penalties, including expulsion, to ensure compliance. "The process must be clearly structured, because things cannot continue like this in the future," Weidel asserted. She acknowledged widespread dissatisfaction within the party due to such trips, which she believes are purposeless.