Germany moves to block AfD from viewing secret military war plans

The Alternative für Deutschland surged in recent state polls, prompting the federal government to consider measures that would prevent the party from viewing a classified 1,000-page military contingency plan known as “Oplan”. The document, shared only with senior officials of the 16 Länder, details Germany’s response to a potential new Russian offensive in Eastern Europe. Officials at the Ministry of Defence are assessing which security data need shielding and have declined to provide further specifics.

The AfD has denounced any restriction as undemocratic, while the cabinet led by Friedrich Merz also contemplates barring Saxony-Anhalt from Russian-related intelligence and denying the party access to secret-service dossiers on right-wing extremism. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned against sharing military intelligence with an AfD-led government, citing the party’s pro-Putin orientation. The proposals could be challenged in court, as the AfD’s Saxony-Anhalt branch is already under surveillance as an “extremist” group.