World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Burnham says Merz described AfD as linked to and possibly funded by Russia
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he discussed hostile states and political influence with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a recent visit to Berlin.
On a podcast, Burnham said Merz described Germany’s AfD party as closely linked to Russia and, he thought, financed by it.
Direct funding of German political parties by a foreign power is prohibited, and the article says there has been no evidence of Moscow directly financing the AfD.
The German chancellery had not responded when asked whether Burnham had understood Merz correctly.
Burnham also warned that Russian disinformation was affecting German politics and said British authorities had confirmed Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
He criticised previous British governments for being too slow to speak openly about foreign influence.
The full podcast was due to be released on Monday.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Friedrich Merz told him the Alternative for Germany party was clearly linked to Russia and “funded, I believe.”
Burnham recounted the conversation in the podcast “The Rest Is Politics” after meeting Merz in Berlin the previous week.
The reported claim concerns possible Russian financing of a German political party, which Bild said would be politically explosive.
Burnham also warned that Russian disinformation was influencing German politics.
He said British authorities had told him Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made the reported remarks about the AfD.
- What
- Burnham said Merz described the AfD as linked to Russia and possibly funded by it.
- When
- Burnham met Merz the previous week. The podcast was due to be published in full on Monday.
- Where
- Berlin.
- Why
- Burnham said they discussed growing threats from hostile states.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
clearly linked to Russia
funded, I believe
There is certainly misinformation and disinformation coming from Russia into German politics
Yes, there was
The Brexit referendum took place; Burnham said British authorities told him Russia had interfered.
Burnham met Merz in Berlin and discussed threats from hostile states.
The full episode of The Rest Is Politics, in which Burnham recounted the conversation, was due to be published.
- People
- Andy Burnham and Friedrich Merz
- Party
- Alternative for Germany (AfD)
- Meeting place
- Berlin
- Podcast
- The Rest Is Politics
- Referendum
- Brexit referendum, 2016
Sources
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