AfD Receives Substantial Inheritance, Surpassing Other Parties in Electoral Funding
Introduction
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has inherited significantly more funds compared to other political parties in Germany. According to the party’s financial report for 2023, published by the German Bundestag alongside reports from other parliamentary parties, the AfD received approximately seven million euros (USD 7.3 million) from inheritances.
Inheritance Windfall for AfD
The financial report reveals that a single donor from Berlin-Dahlem bequeathed a substantial 5,957,969.66 euros to the AfD. Additionally, three other donors from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse contributed a combined total of approximately one million euros in inheritances.
As a result of these inheritances, the AfD’s net assets increased from 23.5 million euros in the previous year to approximately 38.3 million euros. In contrast, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) reported net assets of 295 million euros, while the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) had assets of approximately 230 million euros. The Green Party, the Left Party, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Christian Social Union (CSU) declared net assets of 91.5 million euros, 46 million euros, 40 million euros, and 32 million euros, respectively.
Comparison to Other Parties
CDU, CSU, SPD, FDP, and the Left Party reported significantly lower inheritance income. The FDP received the highest amount among these parties, with 390,000 euros.
Legal Obligations and Publication
German political parties are required by law to submit their financial reports to the Bundestag by September 30th of each year. Parties can request an extension to December 31st. The Bundestag then publishes these reports in a collected format.
Transparency and Accountability
The publication of these financial reports promotes transparency and accountability within the German political system. They provide insights into the funding sources of political parties, including donations and inheritances, and contribute to ensuring ethical practices in electoral financing.
