German ultras caught with leader suspected of serving China and Russia

2024-04-24 12:56:49

“I’m not going to retire because I have nothing to blame myself for,” he said. Maximilian Krah, MEP and head of the list in the European elections for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). It followed the crisis meeting with party co-chairs Timo Chrupalla and Alice Weidel, precipitated by the arrest of alleged spy for China and Krah collaborator Jian Guo.

Krah appeared alone, while the party leadership announced that its head of the list will not participate in the start of the European campaign. Weidel and Chrupalla’s strategy consists of “hide” a leader tainted by the activities of his collaborator who, according to the prosecution, leaked information from the European Parliament and about opponents of the regime to Beijing. The German spy services have warned of “increasing illegitimate attempts” by China to obtain political, economic or scientific information, through “classic” espionage or cyber attacks. In just one week, four alleged spies have been arrested, including Krah’s collaborator.

Krahn’s name had been making headlines for weeks for alleged complicity with Kremlin destabilization attempts facing the Europeans. Suspicions also affect the second on the AfD list, Petr Bystron. Both have intervened on platforms and supposedly received money for it. ‘Der Spiegel’ manages the total number of 500.000 euros. According to that medium, there are recordings with the voice of Bystron, who regrets that one of those deliveries was in 200 euro bills, which are difficult to change.

Some stained lists, but almost untouchable

The party of self-proclaimed “German patriots” has thus faced two obstacles that it cannot easily eliminate. The lists for the elections have already been blessed by the Electoral Commission. Only in extreme cases – such as death – can they be modified, since otherwise the entire list would be invalidated.

The fact is that the AfD seems stuck with two of those names, whose designation months ago was controversial. Krah was credited with “closeness” to both Beijing and Moscow, but he was appointed by represent the “patriot” wing. Bystron, of Czech origin and member of the Bundestag (German Federal Parliament), is also known to have links with Moscow, in a party that, like others in the European far-right family, practices “understanding” towards Vladimir Putin and rejects military support for Ukraine.

Drop in the polls

The AfD began to lose momentum in the polls with the appearance of another populist formation, but identified as radical left and led by the media Sahra Wagenknecht. A few months ago the AfD was predicted to have more than 20%, while now it is at 16%. It no longer occupies second position alone, after the 30% predicted for the conservative opposition, but tied with the Social Democrats of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Apart from the European elections, the regional elections next September in the east of the country are crucial for the AfD. In Thuringia, where the radical Björn Höcke leads the party, it aspires to be the most voted force on a regional scale for the first time. A trial was opened against Höcke last week for using Nazi slogans at a public event. It does not seem that he will be disqualified from running as a candidate. But it may lose strength among the so-called “punishment vote” that is less identifiable as far-right.