Unveiled: AfD Parks €2.35 Million in 'Donation Scandal' Reserve
Penned by: Martin Schmidt * estimated reading time: 2 minutes*
Controversy erupts as AFD transfers 2.35 million Euros to the Bundestag - Party AfD transfers €2.35 million to Parliament for budgetary issues
The controversial German party, AfD, is at it again - this time, they've transferred a whopping €2.35 million to the Bundestag for safekeeping, reportedly to avoid a severe penalty. stern and RTL/ntv confirm this, shedding light on the latest instalment of the party's donation saga.
The funds, originally a donation for a poster campaign, were allegedly gifted by Gerhard Dingler, an ex-politician from Austria's right-wing populist FPO. However, suspicions of Dingler acting as a straw man have been raised, prompting an investigation by both the Bundestag administration and inquiries by "Der Spiegel" and the Austrian "Standard."
Furthermore, the Austrian Financial Intelligence Unit has provided a tip indicating a higher transfer from businessman Henning Conle, known to support AfD, to Dingler before the campaign kick-off.
The Bundestag feels these contributions are inadmissible straw man donations. As per German party law, such donations must be forwarded immediately, but since AfD did not possess the funds, they've been given a "reasonable period" to deposit the equivalent value post-campaign.
Questionable Fund Flows
As the story unfolds, additional findings reveal Conle's potential role in this case. If these allegations hold true, Conle may have played a pivotal part in funnelling funds to AfD in a manner contrary to party law.
Political Play-by-Play
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AfD Digs In
However, AfD's federal treasurer, Carsten Hütter, maintains a contrary stance: "We still believe this isn't a straw man donation." He asserts that the checks haven't run their course, and the money was transferred only to avoid extra fines should evidence contradict their claims.
Dingler had consistently stated to AfD that the funds were sourced from his personal assets and not meant as proxies for other parties. However, if proven deceptive, the party would still be bound by law to transfer the donations to the Bundestag. Hütter has taken precautions, but reiterates, "We're reviewing the process and can't see that we're liable for payments just yet." If the Bundestag maintains its stance post-investigation, Hütter anticipates AfD will take legal action to reclaim the €2.35 million. The final decision rests with the federal board.
If the allegations prove true, the AfD may face a fine triple the donation amount, subject to one condition - evidence shows the party was aware of the straw man donation when they accepted the funds.
- AfD * Donation scandal * Parliamentary administration * FPÖ * Henning Conle
- The Bundestag is investigating the AfD for allegedly receiving inadmissible straw man donations, totaling €2.35 million, which were transferred to avoid severe penalties.
- German political news outlets, stern and RTL/ntv, have confirmed the AfD donation scandal, linking ex-politician Gerhard Dingler, from Austria's right-wing populist FPO, as a possible straw man.
- The financial intelligence unit in Austria has provided a tip suggesting a higher transfer from businessman Henning Conle, known to support AfD, to Dingler before the campaign kick-off.
- Under German party law, AfD must deposit the equivalent value of the funds post-campaign, but they've been given a "reasonable period" because they did not possess the funds initially.
- If the allegations of Conle funneling funds to AfD prove true, the AfD may face a fine triple the donation amount, provided there is evidence indicating the party was aware of the straw man donation when they accepted the funds.
