German far-right, far-left wins prompt intelligence concerns

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) nearly won a majority in Saxony-Anhalt, and the far-left Left Party led Berlin’s polls, raising fears about potential risks to classified information if these parties gain control over state intelligence agencies. Officials worry that the AfD’s alleged Russian sympathies and the Left Party’s suspected links to criminal groups could compromise sensitive data, prompting ongoing debates about national security implications.

Recent electoral successes by far-right and far-left parties in German state elections have heightened concerns among government officials about the potential risks associated with the handling of classified information at the state level. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party, came close to securing an absolute majority in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, while the far-left Left Party topped the polls in Berlin on September 20.

In Germany's federal system, each state operates its own domestic intelligence agency under the jurisdiction of local authorities. These agencies collaborate with one another and coordinate with the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. However, officials within the ruling coalition and security experts have raised alarm over the possibility that if control of these agencies shifts to ministers from either the AfD or the Left Party, sensitive information might be at risk of being leaked.

Concerns regarding the AfD focus on the party’s alleged sympathies towards Russia. Some officials fear that classified intelligence could be shared with Moscow if the AfD gains influence over state security bodies. The AfD has dismissed such allegations, stating that it opposes Germany’s military support for Ukraine solely to avoid escalating the conflict and denies any alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin. An AfD spokesperson described the accusations as an attempt by the government to politically undermine the party.

The far-left Left Party, which now holds power in Berlin, faces scrutiny over potential ties to groups investigated for organized crime. Critics worry that the party’s oversight of the city’s intelligence agency could result in sensitive information being compromised to clan-like structures within Kurdish, Lebanese, and Palestinian communities, which German police have linked to criminal activities. The Left Party has not responded to recent inquiries regarding these concerns but has previously rejected any associations with such groups. Furthermore, the party emphatically denies accusations of antisemitism, which have been intertwined with allegations of criminal connections.

As state governments assume varying degrees of control over their intelligence services, Germany’s federal authorities and political leaders continue to debate the implications of these electoral outcomes for national security and the protection of classified information.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.