Russia-Linked Disinformation Is Boosting Germany's AfD — What Expats Should Know

Introduction

Ahead of German elections, experts and media investigators have identified a pattern of coordinated online disinformation campaigns that appear to amplify far-right narratives — particularly those associated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Intelligence analysts and researchers suspect Russian involvement, though attribution in information operations is rarely simple. For immigrants and expats living in Germany, this is more than a political news story: the AfD's platform includes some of the most restrictive immigration policies of any mainstream German party, and the information environment shaping public opinion directly affects the political conditions that govern their lives here.

What the Disinformation Campaigns Look Like

Researchers have identified several recurring tactics in the campaigns:

• Fake or exaggerated crime stories disproportionately linking migrants to criminal acts, designed to inflame anti-immigration sentiment.
• Amplified AfD content shared through networks of fake or bot-assisted accounts, inflating the apparent popularity of far-right messaging.
• Translated Russian state media narratives repackaged for German-language audiences on platforms including Telegram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
• Coordinated inauthentic behaviour, where clusters of accounts with no clear German connection post the same content within short time windows.

Experts from organisations including the EU DisinfoLab and German domestic intelligence (Verfassungsschutz) have been tracking these patterns. The Kremlin has denied involvement, as it typically does in such cases.

Why Russia Would Support the AfD

The strategic logic, according to analysts, is relatively straightforward: the AfD has consistently opposed German military support for Ukraine, called for the lifting of sanctions on Russia, and advocated for closer economic ties with Moscow. A stronger AfD in the Bundestag — or in state governments — would complicate Germany's continued support for Ukraine and potentially weaken EU unity on the issue. Destabilising the political mainstream and deepening polarisation around immigration also serves broader goals of weakening European cohesion.

It is important to note that correlation is not causation. The AfD has its own organic voter base, and not all AfD support is the result of foreign interference. However, independent researchers broadly agree that the disinformation ecosystem benefits the party's electoral position.

What This Means for Immigrants and Expats in Germany

The political rise of the AfD — whatever its causes — has real implications for people living in Germany on foreign passports:

• Stricter immigration rules: The AfD's official platform calls for mass deportations, ending family reunification, and abolishing pathways to citizenship for non-EU nationals.
• Social climate: Disinformation campaigns that spread negative stereotypes about migrants can affect the day-to-day experience of immigrants in Germany, from workplace dynamics to interactions with neighbours.
• Policy risk: Even when the AfD is not in government, its pressure has pushed mainstream parties to adopt tougher rhetoric and, in some cases, tougher policies on immigration and border control.
• Einbürgerung: Germany recently liberalised its citizenship (Einbürgerung) rules — any future government with AfD influence would likely seek to reverse these changes.

None of this means that immigrants should panic. Germany's democratic institutions are functioning, the AfD is currently excluded from governing coalitions at the federal level, and civil society organisations actively counter disinformation and support migrants' rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the AfD being popular mean my visa or residence status is under threat right now?

No. Your current Aufenthaltstitel and legal rights are governed by existing law, not by a party's electoral popularity. No changes to residence or visa rules happen without legislation passing through the Bundestag. Monitoring political developments is sensible, but there is no immediate legal threat to existing permit holders.

How can I protect myself from disinformation?

Be sceptical of viral stories on social media, especially those with strong emotional content about crime and migration. Check whether a story is covered by established German outlets (ARD, ZDF, Spiegel, Süddeutsche Zeitung). The EU's EUvsDisinfo database (euvsdisinfo.eu) tracks known disinformation narratives if you want to verify a specific claim.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The suspected Russian disinformation campaigns targeting German elections are a reminder that the political environment in Germany — which directly shapes immigration policy — does not operate in isolation from global information warfare. For expats and immigrants, staying informed through reliable sources, understanding the policy positions of major parties, and engaging with local civil society are the most practical responses.

Recommended actions:

1. Follow German news through established, fact-checked outlets.
2. If you are eligible to vote in German local or European elections (EU citizens have this right), register and participate.
3. Keep track of any Einbürgerung eligibility changes — Germany's new citizenship law may offer you a path to stronger permanent rights.
4. Connect with expat and migrant rights organisations in your city for support and up-to-date information.

Source: The Local Germany