Alleged Strohmann Donation to AfD Under Scrutiny by Austrian Authorities
Investigations are underway in Austria after reports surfaced that a donation of election posters to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party may have been a conduit for funding from an undisclosed third party.
The Donation
Earlier this month, the German Bundestag reported a donation of approximately €2.35 million to the AfD. The donor was identified as Gerhard Dingler, an Austrian businessman and former state manager of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). According to the AfD, the donation consisted of 6,000 election posters placed throughout Germany.
Suspicions of a Strohmann Donation
However, investigations by Spiegel, Standard, and ZDF have raised suspicions that Dingler may have acted as a "strawman," facilitating the donation on behalf of an unknown third party. Austrian authorities are reportedly investigating whether Dingler received a similar sum of money as a gift prior to the donation.
Legal Implications
German party law prohibits parties from accepting donations that are "recognizably the forwarding of a donation from an unnamed third party." If a party violates these regulations, it faces significant fines. In cases where illegal donations are accepted, the party must report them to the Bundestag within the year. Failure to do so results in a fine triple the amount of the donation.
AfD’s Response
The AfD has dismissed the allegations, claiming that Dingler has repeatedly assured the party that the donation came from his personal funds. The party’s treasurer, Carsten Hütter, has offered full cooperation with any investigating authorities.
Background
The AfD has a history of accepting questionable donations, resulting in multiple fines from the Bundestag’s administration. This latest allegation raises concerns about the party’s transparency and compliance with campaign finance regulations.
Importance of Transparency
Sarah Schönewolf, spokesperson for abgeordnetenwatch.de, emphasizes the importance of preventing strawman donations: "They obscure the true source of funding, undermining the transparency of party financing."
Ongoing Investigations
The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) is examining the matter, while the public prosecutor’s office in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, has confirmed receiving a report alleging money laundering. Authorities have not disclosed the origin of the report or the potential target of the investigation.
The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the AfD’s financial standing and its reputation.
