Pistorius warns against sharing secrets with AfD – cites closeness to Russia

Background on the AfD's closeness to Russia

Pistorius cited the AfD's Russia connections as a central reason for such a restriction. "Die Nähe zu Putin ist nicht zu übersehen," he said. He also pointed to suspicions about Russian financial flows: "Die Vermutung, dass es Geld aus Russland gibt, steht ebenfalls im Raum." Pistorius therefore fears that sensitive information about the Bundeswehr could reach Russia if the AfD participates in government.

The minister also commented on the political situation in light of the state elections scheduled for September in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD could, in his words, achieve an absolute majority for the first time. "Ich mache mir als Demokrat über einen solchen möglichen Wahlausgang allergrößte Sorgen," Pistorius said. With regard to the party, he added: "Die AfD lässt keinen Zweifel daran, was sie mit unserer Demokratie vorhat. Von daher wäre das ein sehr, sehr schlechtes Zeichen."

According to the minister, the warning is set against the backdrop of the AfD's classification by the domestic intelligence agency. Several state branches of the party are accordingly considered definitively right-wing extremist, with parts of the AfD described as right-wing extremist. Pistorius said it is about the security of the country. He simultaneously emphasized that the Bundeswehr will continue to individually screen every soldier with regard to security-relevant information in the future.

Federal party convention in Erfurt and re-election of the party chairs

Over the weekend, the AfD's federal party convention was continued in Erfurt. Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla were re-confirmed as party chairs on Saturday. The re-elected chairs Weidel and Chrupalla had declared a claim to power with a view to the upcoming state elections in eastern Germany. In polls, the AfD is stronger than ever, according to Deutschlandfunk.

According to Pistorius, the federal government and especially the Defense Ministry face the task of ensuring control over sensitive information even when political majorities shift. The Bundeswehr depends on the confidentiality of its data and communications, so any sharing must be strictly reviewed. Pistorius also commented fundamentally on democracy and on the voting rights of potential AfD supporters within the Bundeswehr.

The Bundeswehr and the protection of secrets

"Es gehe um die Sicherheit des Landes," Pistorius reiterated in the interview. When asked what he would say to a Bundeswehr soldier who votes for the AfD, he replied: "Ich würde ihm sagen: Überlegen Sie sich das gut im Sinne unserer Demokratie. Aber es ist am Ende Ihre Entscheidung, wen Sie wählen." In doing so, he underscored both the urgency of protecting secrets and respect for individual voting decisions.

Pistorius is an SPD politician and Federal Defense Minister. The AfD's federal party convention in Erfurt was concluded on Sunday amid protests. The state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will take place in September, with Saxony-Anhalt also seen as a possible target for an AfD absolute majority.

Overall, the interview shows that the federal government treats control over Bundeswehr secrets as a top-tier security policy issue. Should the AfD enter government responsibility, access rules for classified materials would, in Pistorius's words, have to be reconsidered without abandoning democratic principles.