AfD Lawmakers to Attend St. Petersburg Forum Amid Shift in Strategy

At least two lawmakers from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, including Markus Frohnmaier and Kotré, plan to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June. This event, often referred to as 'Putin’s Davos,' is currently shunned by mainstream European leaders following Russia's annexation of Crimea. The decision marks a strategic shift for the AfD, whose national co-leader Alice Weidel previously discouraged such visits to avoid alienating voters in western German state elections. However, with upcoming elections in eastern Germany scheduled for September, where voters are more inclined toward closer ties with Russia, the party leadership appears to be recalibrating its approach. Stefan Keuter, an AfD lawmaker responsible for approving travel requests, confirmed he would authorize the trips, stating there is no political reason against it. This move aligns with renewed calls from AfD leaders for resumed cheap natural gas flows from Russia and reflects the party's strong polling position in the eastern states. The attendance highlights the growing divergence between the AfD and mainstream German political consensus regarding relations with Moscow.