German lawmakers, including members of the far-right AfD party, have access to sensitive EU data, raising fears of leaks to Russia and China.
German Lawmakers’ Access to Confidential EU Data
Members of the German Bundestag, including those from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, have access to a database containing thousands of confidential EU documents. These include notes from meetings of EU ambassadors discussing their countries’ positions on geopolitical issues, such as financing Ukraine from frozen Russian assets.
Concerns Over AfD Ties to Russia and China
Journalists at Politico report that concerns center on AfD members, who are suspected of passing information to China or Russia. Anton Hofreiter, head of the Bundestag’s EU Affairs Committee, stated that these suspicions have altered the way sensitive discussions are conducted.
“Putin’s Leak” and Hungarian Diplomacy
Recent reports from “The Washington Post” detailed Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó allegedly providing live updates from EU summits to his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged the long-held suspicions, stating he now only speaks when absolutely necessary.
Szijjártó dismissed the reports as “fake news,” despite having made 16 official visits to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, including a meeting with Vladimir Putin on March 4th.
Impact on EU Discussions
These revelations are influencing how EU member states communicate in Brussels, with some now holding meetings in smaller groups due to fears that “not entirely loyal” countries may be relaying confidential information to the Putin government. The access granted to AfD lawmakers is being referred to as “Putin’s leak.”
The “Hungarian Factor” and AfD’s Role
Diplomats report a decline in the free exchange of information among EU countries, previously based on trust between member states. This shift is attributed to the “Hungarian factor” and the “AfD factor.” One diplomat stated that an ambassador can no longer guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive discussions within the Coreper format.
AfD’s Pro-Russia Stance
The German Alternative for Germany (AfD) is widely considered a pro-Russian party, sometimes labeled “Putin’s voice in Germany.” German counterintelligence classifies the party as far-right and extremist. AfD consistently advocates against military and financial support for Kyiv and seeks normalized relations with Moscow.
Information Sought by AfD
Seven German parliamentarians and their assistants told Politico that AfD’s access poses a security threat. Concerns include the party’s visible closeness to Putin, contacts with the Russian embassy, travel to Moscow, and promotion of Russian propaganda.
Specifically, information sought includes details on local drone defense systems, Western arms shipments to Ukraine, and knowledge of Russian sabotage and hybrid activities in the Baltic Sea region. Lawmakers have been accused of using parliamentary inquiries to gather intelligence for the Kremlin, and an aide to a European Parliament member was convicted of spying for China in 2025.