The latest scandal involving the AfD highlights the party’s dubious connections with authoritarian regimes. Saxon AfD parliament member Jörg Dornau openly expresses his support for Belarus, dismissing any criticisms of the Lukaschenko regime and even suggesting economic opportunities in the country. However, it was revealed that Dornau is the owner and manager of a large agricultural business in Belarus, working closely with Yurij Kunitski, a known propagandist for Russia and Belarus. Despite warnings against doing business with Kunitski, the pair acquired significant land holdings in Belarus. Dornau failed to disclose his activities in Belarus to the parliament, raising questions about the nature of his dealings and the secrecy surrounding them.
The AfD’s penchant for supporting totalitarian regimes and their aggressive dismissal of any criticism from mainstream media is well-known. However, when it comes to their own members engaging in questionable activities, the party remains silent. The secrecy surrounding Dornau’s business dealings with Belarus and Kunitski raises concerns about the transparency and ethics of the party’s leadership. Despite their aggressive stance towards political opponents and allegations of corruption, the AfD’s silence on internal controversies like Dornau’s raises doubts about their credibility as a political party. The party’s strategy of portraying themselves as victims and avoiding accountability is starting to lose its effectiveness.
The AfD’s plummeting popularity in recent polls suggests that the party may not be a viable alternative for Germany. The Dornau scandal further undermines confidence in the party’s integrity and judgment. As the AfD grapples with multiple scandals and controversies, their lack of transparency and accountability regarding their members’ questionable dealings with authoritarian regimes puts their credibility into question. The party’s image as a political alternative is being further tarnished by their unwillingness to address internal controversies and their aggressive dismissal of criticism from the media and political opponents. The AfD’s credibility and effectiveness as a political party are now being called into question as their scandals continue to pile up.
