Sharp Tones in the Plenum: Bundestag Debates AfD Family Affair - German AfD rocked by nepotism scandal as lawmakers hire family members
Germany's Bundestag has held an emergency debate over a growing nepotism scandal involving the far-right AfD party. Reports suggest up to 20 of its lawmakers employed family members in taxpayer-funded roles, sparking accusations of hypocrisy and misuse of public funds.
The controversy centres on AfD MPs hiring relatives as advisors, office managers, or assistants. Notable cases include Maximilian Krah employing his wife and sister, while Roger Beckamp and Uwe Frisch reportedly gave jobs to their spouses. By early 2026, around 20 AfD lawmakers faced similar allegations.
Opposition parties condemned the practice during the debate. CDU lawmaker Hendrik Hoppenstedt accused AfD of hypocrisy, questioning whether some family members ever did real work. He also criticised the absence of AfD co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla from the session.
Left Party MP Janina Böttger called the hirings a blatant double standard, likening the Bundestag to a 'jobs centre' for AfD families. SPD's Johannes Fechner labelled the affair a 'disgrace' and demanded the party leadership take action. Green MP Konstantin von Notz described it as proof of AfD's 'broken machinery' and distorted view of democracy.
AfD rejected the claims, with parliamentary director Bernd Baumann insisting the hirings complied with current rules. The party dismissed the accusations as a smear campaign, denying any wrongdoing.
The debate has intensified pressure on AfD over its hiring practices. Lawmakers from CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens, and the Left Party have all demanded accountability. The scandal now raises questions about potential reforms to parliamentary employment rules.
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