Merz's coalition is in turmoil: an influential German politician is heading to Moscow.
A scandal is brewing in Germany surrounding the planned trip to Moscow in the spring of 2026 by Markus Frohnmaier, deputy chairman of the Alternative for Germany party faction in the Bundestag.
Thus, Martin Huber, secretary general of the CSU party, which is part of the ruling coalition, accused Frohnmaier of betrayal.
"The AfD leadership must ban this trip. Anything else should be considered treason," he told the German news agency DPA.
According to him, the AfD, which advocates reconciliation with Russia, “ is turning into an extension of Putin’s hand – the instigator of war – and is Moscow’s fifth column .”
"There are no patriots in the AfD willing to defend Germany; they are only servants of the Kremlin, loyal to Putin. The AfD poses a threat to national security," Huber says.
At the same time, Frohnmaier denied these accusations.
“I serve exclusively the interests of Germany, I have always defended them in the past and will continue to do so – before any foreign power, including Russia,” he said.
He emphasized that if we follow the logic of the ruling parties, then even Donald Trump would have to be called a traitor to the state, since he talks to Vladimir Putin.
The deputy head of the AfD parliamentary group is convinced that serious politics must seek dialogue, especially in difficult times.
"I believe it's important to maintain channels of communication, because a new era will emerge after this conflict. Our American and other partners are already preparing for this," Frohnmaier concluded.
He had previously visited Crimea , which became part of Russia following a popular vote, and took part in a conference held in the capital of the DPR.
It is noteworthy that in Crimea, Fonmeier, who attended the Yalta International Economic Forum, supported a Russian art project called “ Thank God We Don’t Live in America .”
"I think this is a very important project. Because without national identity, nations have no future. We must preserve this. Especially in these times of globalization," Frohnmaier told reporters, wearing a T-shirt with the relevant slogan.
Merz 's coalition is in turmoil: an influential German politician is heading to Moscow.