Germany's AfD at risk of millions in fines over alleged illegal donation
Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been entangled in a donation scandal that, if confirmed, would see the party risk millions in fines.
The AfD was gifted a record €2.35 million from Gerhard Dingler, a former regional manager for Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ), on 1 February.
However, an investigation from Der Spiegel and Austrian newspaper Der Standard suggests that Dingler was given the money by German billionaire Henning Conle.
The reports say that Dingler presented his bank with the money several weeks ago, claiming it was for a "real estate project". The €2.35 million was then transferred from his account to a company in Cologne that specialised in poster advertising.
The exact amount was reported to the Bundestag at the beginning of February.
Under German law, so-called "straw man" donations would be considered illegal party financing, as donations over €500 must identify donors.
If confirmed, the AfD would face a fine three times the donation amount — which in this case amounts to around €7 million.
The AfD did not immediately respond to Euronews' requests for comment.
Motives unclear
It's not the first time Conle — a German-Swiss billionaire property owner who has reportedly invested heavily in central London properties — has been accused of illegally donating to the AfD through a third party.
In 2023, the AfD were fined €396,000 over a €130,000 donation in the 2017 general election via a Swiss pharmaceutical company that was linked to Conle.*
In 2021, investigative outlet Correctiv reported the billionaire offered the AfD anonymous donations in personal meeting with former AfD spokesperson Frauke Petry. Petry acknowledged that Conle had attempted to offer the AfD party donations, but that the AfD did not accept them.
According to Aurel Eschmann, an expert on party financing from NGO Lobby Control, it is unclear why Conle would donate to the AfD through an intermediary.
"As a German citizen, he (Conle) could donate without problems," Eschmann said. "Conle is already well-known as an AfD supporter. Therefore, the fear of reputational damage is an unlikely motive."
"The investigative authorities should urgently examine whether Conle himself could act as a straw man for other donors as well. This is also because, according to media reports, Dingler acted for an obscure 'Club of Friends and Sponsors of Peace and Security,'" says Eschmann.
The AfD is unlikely to face an immediate fine if the allegations are true. According to Der Spiegel, Austrian authorities are investigating allegations of money laundering and covert party financing.
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