Germany’s security agencies are facing a new challenge following strong performances by far-right and far-left parties in recent state elections, with officials debating whether confidential intelligence should be restricted if governments involving those parties take control of state security agencies.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) came close to securing an outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, while the Left Party emerged as the largest party in Berlin after the September 20 election.
Germany’s federal system gives individual states their own domestic intelligence agencies, which operate under state governments, exchange information with one another and cooperate with the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).
Politicians from different parties and former security officials have expressed concerns that confidential information could be exposed if security agencies come under the control of governments led by the AfD or the Left Party.
According to Reuters, concerns relating to Saxony-Anhalt centre on the possibility of sensitive information involving Russia being compromised, while concerns in Berlin relate partly to investigations into suspected organised crime networks.
Alexander Hoffmann, parliamentary group leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), said the concerns were different in the two states, with organised crime an issue in Berlin and Russia-related matters a concern in Saxony-Anhalt.
The AfD has rejected allegations that it is closely aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The party says it opposes war and Germany’s provision of military support to Ukraine.
An AfD spokesperson described the concerns raised by political opponents as an attempt to discredit the party, arguing that no evidence had been produced to support the accusations.
The debate over information-sharing has been developing since opinion polls indicated that the AfD could potentially win in Saxony-Anhalt. The party’s state branch there has been classified as right-wing extremist by the state’s domestic intelligence agency.
Hendrik Wüst, the CDU premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, previously called for a special federal-state committee to examine how sensitive information should be handled if an AfD-led government takes power.
A security official told Reuters that preparations were already underway, although the final arrangements would depend on whether the AfD or Left Party ultimately forms a state government.
The AfD fell short of an outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt, and other major parties have ruled out forming a coalition with it. In Berlin, the Left Party is expected to seek cooperation with the centre-left Social Democrats and the Greens, although both parties have called for measures to address antisemitism within its ranks.
Several AfD state branches have been classified as right-wing extremist by domestic security authorities, while the party has accused intelligence agencies of political interference.
Security officials are also concerned about the possibility that investigators working on cases involving the AfD could face pressure under a future AfD-led administration.
At the same time, authorities are considering measures that would limit some information-sharing without completely cutting off cooperation. Security officials have stressed that certain intelligence, including information related to potential terrorist attacks, would still need to be shared.
The Left Party has also criticised Germany’s domestic intelligence service. Its Berlin election programme called for the state intelligence agency to be abolished and replaced with what it described as a transparent and democratically controlled body.
The debate highlights growing tensions between Germany’s political parties and security institutions as the country’s state elections reshape the political landscape.
Reuters reported that the security agencies and state governments are now considering how to balance the protection of sensitive intelligence with the need for continued cooperation between federal and state authorities.
