In an article headlined “German Leaders Prepare to Deny Far Right Access to Secret War Plan,” the New York Times wrote on September 22, “With the Alternative for Germany party close to power in a German state [Saxony-Anhalt—ed.], federal officials are planning to limit the group’s access to classified intelligence.” That the party could pass on secrets to Russia, is reportedly the concern of those federal German officials.

The “concern” has been around for some time. It served to block a seat in the secret service oversight committee for the AfD, although it is the leading opposition party in the national parliament. It also served to deny seats in other committees, to deny a response to AfD queries in the parliament, to deny AfD candidates a right to run for election, and so on—culminating in hysterical calls for a full ban of the party.