Deutschlands rechtsextreme AfD schmiedet ein pro-russisches Bündnis mit der BSW

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Alliance for Social Justice and Economic Reason (BSW) have drawn sharp criticism for pushing a motion in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt demanding an immediate halt to all German financial and military aid to Ukraine. The motion, passed in a special parliamentary session, calls for the state’s current premier, Sven Schulze of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), to urge peace negotiations with Russia through the Bundesrat, Germany’s upper house representing the federal states. The motion was supported solely by the AfD and the BSW, which together hold enough seats in the state parliament to pass it. The AfD won nearly 44 percent of the vote in the September 2026 regional elections but did not secure an outright majority. As such, it requires backing from other parties to form a government. The BSW, which gained limited representation in the state parliament, is the only group willing to engage in formal talks with the AfD, despite its classification by local security agencies as a “confirmed right-wing extremist” party. All other parties have rejected collaboration with the AfD. Claudia Wittig, a BSW member of the state parliament, urged Premier Schulze to act on the motion, stating, “It is your responsibility to finally use every available avenue to work for peace.” Her remarks were met with strong opposition from other lawmakers. Stefan Ruland, a CDU representative, criticized the motion, saying, “Anyone who demands a ceasefire only from the side that has been attacked is not calling for peace, but for capitulation.” The motion comes amid ongoing efforts to form a new state government in Saxony-Anhalt. While the AfD dominated the recent election, it lacks the necessary majority to govern alone. The BSW, formed in 2024 as a split from the socialist Left Party, is the only party open to formal discussions with the AfD. Its founder, Sahra Wagenknecht, previously held a prominent position in the Left Party before leaving due to internal conflicts over her socially conservative views and criticism of Germany’s immigration policies. Political analysts suggest the alignment between the AfD and BSW reflects shared positions on several issues. Both reject the political establishment, support Russia’s stance in the conflict with Ukraine, and oppose Germany’s military and financial assistance to Kyiv. Armin Pfahl-Traughber, a political scientist at the Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences, noted that the parties’ common ground includes their anti-establishment rhetoric, pro-Putin inclinations, and criticism of Germany’s support for Ukraine. The potential partnership between the AfD and BSW has raised concerns among observers. Their meeting in early October, hosted by a far-right publisher, marked a notable step toward closer coordination. Attendees included figures from both the far right and the hard-left spectrum. This gathering underscored the possibility of sustained cooperation between two groups with divergent ideological roots but overlapping interests in challenging the status quo in German politics. The motion itself does not directly influence national policy, as the federal states lack authority in foreign affairs. Nevertheless, the move highlights the growing influence of far-right and radical-left forces in regional politics. The AfD has long expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Björn Höcke, a senior AfD official in Thuringia, once describing him as a “champion of a world of free and sovereign states.” Such statements reinforce the perception that these parties share a vision of international relations that diverges sharply from mainstream European values.