Germany wants to restrict Saxony-Anhalt’s access to classified information on Russia after AfD election win

Source: The New York Times

German authorities are preparing to restrict Saxony-Anhalt’s access to sensitive intelligence data after the AfD’s victory in the state election, fearing that classified information could reach Moscow, according to 17 German and foreign officials who spoke to The New York Times.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the German military drew up a plan in 2024 for responding to a possible Russian attack in Eastern Europe. Top leaders in all 16 of Germany’s federal states have access to the 1,000-page document, informally known as Oplan. Each state also runs its own intelligence service, which shares information with the federal government.

The AfD won 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt’s September election and is negotiating to form a government. Federal authorities are already discussing how to cut off an AfD-led Saxony-Anhalt from the most sensitive data, according to sources. The plan would restrict access to information about Russia and Russian operations in Europe, as well as materials about the party itself.

The AfD was officially designated “right-wing extremist” at the federal level and is now under intelligence surveillance, including undercover agents. Berlin fears that if the party gains access to intelligence materials, it could identify the agents and interfere with their work.

Germany’s allies, including Poland and several Scandinavian countries, share these concerns about possible leaks. Sources told The New York Times that these allies made clear to Berlin they do not want to share sensitive information about Russia if it could reach Moscow through Saxony-Anhalt’s government. Germany has assured its allies that it is preparing restrictions.

AfD representative Jork Herrmann called the possible restrictions “utterly undemocratic,” and the party may challenge them in court if the restrictions are introduced, The New York Times reported.

At Meduza, we are committed to transparency about our use of artificial intelligence in the newsroom. The story you’re reading was written by one of our living, breathing journalists and translated from Russian using an AI model configured to follow our strict editorial standards. This translation process is the result of extensive testing and refinements to ensure our English-language coverage is timely and accurate. A Meduza editor reviews every draft before publication.

If you find any errors in this translation, please contact us at reports@meduza.io.

To read Meduza’s exclusive content in English, please subscribe to our newsletter.

Why is it
important
to support
Meduza
now?Read here

Germany wants to restrict Saxony-Anhalt’s access to classified information on Russia after AfD election win

{{ header_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }}

{{ title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }}

{{ second_title }}

Germany wants to restrict Saxony-Anhalt’s access to classified information on Russia after AfD election win

{{{ alt }}}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }}

{{ title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }}

{{ second_title }}