As of: March 14, 2024, 9:26 p.m
By: Nils Hinsberger
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The presidential elections will take place in Russia this weekend.
MPs from the AfD are invited – of all things as “democracy experts”
Munich – scandal in the Free State of Bavaria: What initially sounds like a bad joke has actually become reality: three AfD members of the Bavarian state parliament are already on their way to Russia to act as “election observers” in the upcoming presidential elections there.
Not only do they once again underline the often predicted proximity of the AfD to Russia - with the presence of democratically elected politicians, Vladimir Putin could only legitimize his vote, which experts see as a sham election.
There is now criticism from all directions for the disservice to one's own party, and even from within one's own ranks.
The MPs themselves see no problem with their plan.
After all, it is an act of diplomatic relations between Germany and Russia.
AfD election observers in Moscow – flimsy justification for taking part in the Russian election
The three politicians were invited as “specialists on electoral procedures,” said AfD politician Andreas Jurca to the
German Press Agency (dpa)
.
This means something like “experts in electoral procedures”.
In addition to Jurka, Ulrich Singer and the Russian-born Franconian Elena Roon are on their way to Moscow.
During the visit, their task is to check the accessibility of the polling stations and to receive complaints from voters.
AfD MP Andreas Jurca is traveling to Moscow with two party colleagues to observe the election.
© Bihlmayerfotografie/IMAGO
But what they are actually interested in is diplomatic communication with Russia, said Jurca.
This claim is also supported “by the party line”.
Another reason is the commitment to peace in the Ukraine war.
As Bavarian representatives, they have a duty to advocate for this at all levels.
The party disagrees.
AfD parliamentary group “expressly rejects” participation in Russia election
The MPs' trip also caused irritation within their own party.
“The parliamentary group expressly rejects this trip,” said parliamentary group leader Katrin Ebner-Steiner.
In order to distinguish the AfD from the action, she added that the MPs would “not act as representatives of the faction”.
In any case, the invitation is addressed to the MPs as private individuals.
The AfD's federal executive board has now announced that it has advised members not to travel.
It is not known whether further invitations were sent from Moscow to other party members.
In addition, the parliamentary group leadership contradicts Jurca's statements that it is the duty of those invited to represent the party in foreign policy.
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According to Ebner-Steiner, the right of representation belongs solely to the Federal Executive Board.
Furthermore, the presidential election is a domestic political matter for Russia and does not contribute anything to ending the war in Ukraine.
In addition, the AfD's political line is that “Germany does not interfere in the domestic political issues of other countries”.
According to the chairwoman, Bavarian MPs should take care of the concerns of their voters.
AfD election observers as “democracy experts” – Putin is concerned with the legitimacy of his election
Gerhard Mangott, Professor of International Relations at the University of Innsbruck, doubted that Russia invited the AfD MPs out of a genuine interest in electoral transparency.
He told
Bayerischer Rundfunk
: “This is intended to send a signal internally and externally: Western politicians also certify to us that everything went smoothly.”
Jurca sees it decidedly differently.
According to the AfD politician, “it is a standard task of the citizens’ assembly to invite foreign ‘democracy experts’ to the elections.”
CSU parliamentary group leader Klaus Holotscheck found clearer words.
“The Bavarian AfD MPs are and will remain Moscow’s fifth column.
“They are trying to cover up Putin’s anti-democratic election and support the violator of international law,” said Holotscheck.
“You are a disgrace for the Free State.”
(dpa/nhi)