Full Breakdown
AfD Pushes for Russian Ties Ahead of Eastern German State Elections
5/14/2026, 4:42:42 AM
Core Shift: AfD Endorses Attendance at Putin’s Davos Forum
In June, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) sanctioned senior party member Markus Frohnmaier to attend the annual St. Petersburg forum, a gathering often described as “Putin’s Davos.” The travel request was approved by AfD lawmaker Stefan Keuter, signaling a strategic pivot toward Moscow as the party prepares for state elections in the former East Germany scheduled for September.
Historical Context of the St. Petersburg Forum
The forum, inaugurated before Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, traditionally attracted European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2013. Since the annexation, mainstream European politicians have largely avoided the event, leaving it a venue primarily for parties and figures with a pro-Russia orientation.
Key AfD Figures Involved
- Alice Weidel – AfD national co-leader who previously sought to curb party trips to Russia ahead of western state elections.
- Markus Frohnmaier – Senior AfD politician approved to attend the June forum.
- Stefan Keuter – Lawmaker authorized to approve travel; endorsed Frohnmaier’s participation.
- Andreas Kotré – AfD lawmaker who attended a BRICS conference in Sochi last November and is slated to join the St. Petersburg forum.
Timeline of Developments
- Early 2024 – Weidel attempts to limit AfD travel to Russia before two western state elections.
- November 2023 – Kotré’s Sochi BRICS attendance sparks internal controversy.
- June 2024 – Frohnmaier and Kotré receive approval to attend the St. Petersburg forum.
- September 2024 – State elections in eastern German regions are set to take place.
Poll Data and Electoral Stakes
AfD polling in the two eastern states slated for September elections shows the party “far ahead” of competitors, reflecting voter openness to closer ties with Moscow. The party’s electoral calculus appears to prioritize appealing to this constituency.
Potential Impact on German Politics and Energy Policy
AfD leaders have renewed calls for the resumption of cheap Russian natural gas, positioning energy affordability as a central campaign theme. Success in the eastern elections could amplify the party’s influence on national energy debates and Germany’s broader foreign-policy posture toward Russia.
Official AfD Statements and Internal Approvals
AfD officials emphasize the pragmatic nature of the travel decisions. Keuter asserted that “politically speaking, there’s absolutely no reason not to” approve attendance, while party leadership frames the outreach as a response to voter preferences in the east. No formal statement from Weidel on the June trip is recorded in the sources.
Criticism Within and Outside the Party
Internal dissent surfaced when Kotré faced pressure to cancel his Sochi trip, highlighting tensions between hard-line pro-Russia elements and members wary of electoral backlash. Externally, the forum’s exclusion by mainstream European leaders underscores the diplomatic isolation of participants.
Verbatim Quotes
> “Politically speaking, there’s absolutely no reason not to,” — Stefan Keuter, AfD lawmaker
What’s Next: Upcoming Elections and Party Strategy
As September approaches, AfD candidates will likely foreground promises of restored Russian gas supplies and reinforced bilateral ties. Election outcomes will determine whether the party’s Russia-focused strategy translates into legislative influence at the state and potentially federal levels.
