Alternative media in Germany have uncovered a troubling use of taxpayer euros to support organizations behind so-called ‘anti-far-right’ demonstrations. On February 8th, over 200,000 people took to the streets of Munich, while 24,000 gathered in Hanover, protesting against the anti-globalist AfD party.
Smaller rallies also popped up around Germany, spurred by anger over a controversial parliamentary motion involving the CDU/CSU alliance and the AfD, which proposed turning back undocumented migrants at the border.
Criticism has been swift, with accusations that the CDU has crossed a line by cooperating with the AfD. CDU leader Friedrich Merz was especially targeted at the protests. The Munich demonstration was organized by Before, a left-wing group led by Social Democrat Micky Wenngatz. Meanwhile, the protest in Hanover was organized by Omas gegen Rechts (Grannies against the Right), a politically-neutral but anti-AfD group, which received €18,000 from the Family Affairs ministry.
Additionally, groups like Zusammen gegen Rechts have been funded by Campact, which is backed by the non-profit HateAid—having received €2.5 million from the Family Affairs ministry. The environmental group BUND, another vocal critic of the far-right, also received substantial government funds, including €2 million from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
This surge in government-funded anti-AfD action appears to be a strategic push ahead of the February 23rd elections, as the ruling elite seeks to curb the growing influence of the AfD in the polls. The links between these protests and government ministries are raising questions about the use of public funds to influence political discourse.
