Politics · Germany · 4 hrs ago
AfD leader in Lower Saxony charged over alleged party donation violations
Prosecutors in Hanover have charged Ansgar Schledde, the AfD leader in Lower Saxony, with alleged violations of Germany’s political parties law.
They say that from December 2020 to July 2022, when he led the AfD district association Ems-Vechte, he received 113 payments treated as donations.
Prosecutors say 44,630 euros were not promptly passed to the party official responsible for finances.
They also allege he caused incorrect figures for donations received by the state party to be included in a national party report.
Schledde rejects the allegations, and he is presumed innocent.
Hanover’s regional court must decide whether to hold a trial; the state parliament lifted his immunity in September.
The Hanover public prosecutor’s office has charged Ansgar Schledde, leader of the AfD in Lower Saxony, with alleged violations of Germany’s political parties law.
The indictment was filed on 6 October, and Hanover Regional Court must decide whether the case will go to trial.
Prosecutors allege that Schledde received payments treated as donations in 113 cases between December 2020 and July 2022, involving a total of €44,630.
They also allege that he caused incorrect donation figures to be included in the federal party’s 2022 accountability report.
Schledde denies the accusations, and the presumption of innocence applies.
- Who
- Ansgar Schledde, leader of the AfD in Lower Saxony and deputy parliamentary group leader in the state parliament.
- What
- He has been charged with alleged violations of Germany’s political parties law. He denies the accusations.
- When
- The indictment was filed on 6 October. The alleged conduct took place between December 2020 and July 2022, with another allegation concerning a November 2022 report.
- Where
- Lower Saxony, Germany. Hanover Regional Court will decide whether the case goes to trial.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege that Schledde failed to promptly pass on donations and caused incorrect donation figures to be reported.
Hanover public prosecutor’s office
Ansgar Schledde
Alleged donations
Hanover public prosecutor’s office
Prosecutors allege that Schledde received payments treated as donations in 113 cases and did not promptly forward €44,630 to the party officer responsible for financial matters.
Ansgar Schledde
Schledde rejects the accusations.
Party reporting
Hanover public prosecutor’s office
Prosecutors allege that Schledde caused incorrect information about donations received by the Lower Saxony state party to appear in the federal party’s November 2022 accountability report.
Ansgar Schledde
Schledde denies the accusations.
Prosecutors allege Schledde received payments treated as donations in 113 cases.
Prosecutors allege Schledde caused incorrect donation figures to be included in the federal party’s accountability report.
The Lower Saxony state parliament lifted Schledde’s immunity.
The Hanover public prosecutor’s office filed the indictment.
- Accused
- Ansgar Schledde
- Alleged violations
- Germany’s political parties law
- Alleged payments
- 113 cases
- Amount at the centre of the case
- €44,630
- Indictment filed
- 6 October 2026
- Court considering trial
- Hanover Regional Court
What people are saying
I look forward to the proceedings with the composure required.
The accusations are unfounded.