Germany’s Christian Social Union (CSU) in Bavaria is seeking to prevent representatives of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) from attending the Munich Security Conference scheduled for February 2026, amid mounting concern over the party’s contacts with Russia and China. The initiative, reported on 28 December, reflects growing unease within the governing camp that AfD’s presence could compromise the credibility of one of the world’s most prominent security forums.
The Munich conference traditionally brings together heads of state and government, defence and foreign ministers, and senior parliamentarians to discuss NATO defence policy, the war in Ukraine and broader threats to European security. CSU leaders argue that granting access to a party openly sceptical of NATO and critical of military support for Kyiv risks undermining trust among international partners and weakening the forum’s standing as a serious venue for collective security debates.
Concerns over foreign links and security risks
The push to exclude AfD follows reporting by DW on efforts to bar AfD from the Munich Security Conference, citing fears about the party’s alleged ties to Moscow and Beijing. Senior CSU figures have publicly accused AfD of maintaining contacts that could be exploited by foreign intelligence services, including Russia’s, at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.
These concerns are amplified by claims from AfD’s political opponents that party figures have attempted to gather sensitive information related to Germany’s defence capabilities and military logistics, including arms supply routes and air defence systems supporting Ukraine. While AfD rejects such allegations, critics argue that even the perception of such activity poses a security risk incompatible with participation in a high-level defence forum.
Track record of confrontation rather than dialogue
AfD has previously been excluded from the Munich conference under its former leadership, which argued that the party did not adhere to the event’s core principle of “peace through dialogue”. That stance has gained renewed attention following AfD lawmakers’ decision to walk out of the Bundestag during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address in June 2024, a move widely interpreted as a rejection of constructive engagement on Europe’s central security challenges.
For CSU leaders, such actions reinforce the view that AfD is more inclined towards political provocation than substantive security debate. They argue that the party could use the Munich platform to advance pro-Russian or anti-NATO narratives, potentially disrupting consensus among allies at a time when unity is seen as critical.
Implications for the conference and international partners
Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has already classified AfD as a “confirmed right-wing extremist organisation”, increasing scrutiny of its activities and foreign connections. Within this context, CSU officials warn that AfD’s participation could damage the Munich Security Conference’s legitimacy as a neutral forum and prompt negative reactions from NATO members, EU leaders and the United States.
Such a scenario, they argue, could lead to diplomatic friction or even a downgrading of engagement by key partners, undermining the conference’s role in shaping international security policy. With debates on Ukraine, NATO deterrence and authoritarian influence high on the agenda, organisers now face pressure to ensure that the forum remains focused on collective security rather than domestic political controversy.
