Alternative for Germany, known in its native language as Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), not only currently holds the second position in national voting preferences as per recent polls but has also ascended to become the nation’s leading beneficiary of substantial political contributions, outpacing both conservative and social democratic factions.
Vilified by left-leaning factions and the traditional mainstream as far-right extremists, AfD, established in 2013 as a conservative, eurosceptic entity, has effectively evolved into the new prevailing force within the political landscape of Europe’s most influential country.
Based on a strong citizen movement, the party gained popularity by opposing Germany’s participation in the Eurozone and advocating for a return to the Deutsche Mark.
Over the course of its evolution, the organization gradually pivoted towards a focus on matters concerning immigration, Islam, and national identity.
(Listen to Christine Anderson, MEP, and one of the most prominent and outspoken representatives of the AfD)
It began scrutinizing narratives related to Covid-19, expressing opposition to lockdowns and vaccine mandates, and raising objections to the World Health Organization’s pandemic treaty.
Transitioning into a more assertive advocate for personal freedoms, it was perceived by left-wing critics as espousing populist tendencies and an anti-immigrant stance.
The party communicates its concerns regarding Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), digital identities, climate-induced lockdowns, and 15-minute cities.
They strongly encourage Europeans to voice their opposition, defy, and resist the expanding digital surveillance which they believe is a pretext for subjugating the masses to favor a global elite.
As per the data released today by the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) administration, AfD received a single donation of €265,000 (US$300,000) in the first half of the year, the highest single transfer amongst all parliamentary parties.
(Listen to Christine Anderson, MEP, and one of the most prominent and outspoken representatives of the AfD)
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the leading opposition party, trails with €216,000.
Until now, the conservative party has been the primary recipient of major donations from businesses, organizations, and private citizens.
Other donations to the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, the Liberal Party (FDP), the Left, and the Party of the Danish Minority (SWW) in the north, along with the CDU and AfD, amounted to €994,444 in the first six months of the year.
(Listen to Christine Anderson, MEP and one of the most prominent and outspoken representatives of the AfD)
This figure is more than double the amount raised in the first half of 2022, which totaled €1.21 million for the year.
The main source of income for German political parties is contributions from members and the share allotted according to the number of seats and votes secured in national, regional, or local elections.
Donations rank third, and under German party funding law, political groups must immediately report any transfer exceeding €50,000 to the Bundestag.
Any donation over €10,000 must also be recorded in the party’s accounting, with the full details of the donor.
Organizations like Transparency International have been advocating for a reform of the party funding law in the Bundestag so that such record-keeping becomes mandatory from €2,000.
(Listen to Christine Anderson, MEP and one of the most prominent and outspoken representatives of the AfD)
The existing law emerged from a reform implemented in the late ’90s, following a series of irregular funding scandals and unclear donations that mainly shook the CDU during the so-called “Helmut Kohl era”, after similar revelations in other parties like the SPD and FDP.
This law necessitated the immediate reporting of any income over €50,000 and similarly accounting for amounts lower than this, besides introducing measures against possible tricks such as splitting donations.