Russia has launched a disinformation campaign known as the Doppelgänger operation, designed to influence Germany’s upcoming chancellor elections on 23 February 2024 in favour of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. According to an investigation by the German think tank CeMAS, this campaign aims to bolster AfD’s political standing and erode public trust in Germany’s mainstream political parties.
The AfD, a political party known for its strong anti-Ukraine stance, has been advocating for direct negotiations with Russia and opposing military aid to Ukraine. The party’s position is part of a broader trend of rising far-right populism in Germany, which is increasingly sympathetic towards Russia and critical of the European Union’s support for Ukraine. The disinformation campaign seeks to fuel public anxiety around economic issues while undermining Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
CeMAS tracked hundreds of German-language posts on X (formerly Twitter) that exhibited classic signs of Russian-backed disinformation, such as spreading false claims and linking economic difficulties to the Green Party, which is part of the governing coalition. In addition, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s support for Ukraine has been targeted in these posts, which actively promoted the AfD’s anti-Ukraine stance. These posts often directed users to fake German news websites, which have collectively amassed over 2.8 million views.
Tino Chrupalla, co-chair of the AfD, has previously stated that he believes Russia has won the war against Ukraine, further emphasising the party’s pro-Russia views. Chrupalla has also voiced support for proposals to withdraw Germany from the EU, suggesting an alternative economic and political community in place of the Union.
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