AfD Confirms Talks with Gazprom

Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) has confirmed that its foreign policy spokesman, Markus Frohnmaier, held talks in Moscow with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller about the possible resumption of Russian gas supplies to Germany, according to Deutsche Welle.

Beatrix von Storch, deputy chair of the AfD parliamentary group, said the party considers the return of Russian energy to the German market to be in the country’s economic interest, arguing that Germany needs cheaper energy and a wider range of suppliers.

AfD Co-Chair Alice Weidel similarly called in early September for the resumption of cheap Russian gas imports.

The comments come after strong AfD results in state elections. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the party finished first with 38.2% of the vote, while in Berlin it came third with 16.3%.

Von Storch also said the AfD and its voters did not want Germany to be drawn further into the war in Ukraine.

The AfD has no authority to change Germany’s energy policy, and any resumption of Russian gas supplies would depend on decisions by the German government and the EU as well as the applicable sanctions regime.

(mja)