German far-right party AfD is under scrutiny for allegedly spying for Russia by submitting parliamentary questions on sensitive issues like critical infrastructure, police capabilities, and military matters, raising concerns about foreign influence.

Over the past twelve months, the AfD has submitted 47 questions on topics including transportation, water, digital infrastructure, energy, and police IT, with particular interest in drone detection and defense.

The party's increased activity and rising electoral support, making it the second-largest in Germany with around 21% in recent polls, have intensified political tensions and scrutiny.

The German domestic and foreign intelligence agencies have declined to comment or have not responded, but concerns persist about the potential for espionage given the detailed nature of the inquiries.

The AfD denies the allegations, dismissing them as conspiracy theories and emphasizing their role in democratic oversight, while defending their visits to Moscow as serving Germany’s interests.

Historical ties to pro-Russian groups and investigations into foreign funding and attendance at Russian embassy events have further raised concerns about Kremlin influence over the party.

The party's focus on issues like military and police capabilities, especially regarding equipment used by the Bundeswehr and police, is viewed by critics as potentially valuable intelligence for Russia.

Many prominent AfD members, especially in Thuringia, are known to sympathize with Vladimir Putin's regime, and some have attended pro-Russian events or maintained contacts with authoritarian states, fueling fears of espionage.

Opponents, including SPD politicians and intelligence officials, argue that these questions threaten democratic oversight and could be part of an effort to weaken German security, with some suggesting the questions resemble a Kremlin checklist.

The controversy reflects broader political tensions in Germany, with the government responding cautiously and emphasizing the importance of parliamentary questions as a legal oversight tool.

The situation underscores ongoing fears about foreign influence in German politics, especially from Russia, amid the AfD's significant electoral gains and ideological stance.

While the allegations are serious, experts warn against dismissing the AfD's inquiries outright, noting that the detailed information sought could be of interest to foreign intelligence services.