AfD data leak exposes internal communications and donation scandal

AfD Alice Weidel data leak political donations Germany

A massive cyberattack has resulted in the leak of approximately 421,000 emails and 48,000 documents belonging to the German political party Alternative for Germany (AfD). The data, totaling roughly 284 gigabytes, was reportedly obtained through a third-party email hosting provider rather than a direct breach of AfD systems. The leaked information spans from 2013 to September 2026 and includes bank statements, membership lists, and strategic campaign documents.

The leak has brought renewed scrutiny to AfD co-leader Alice Weidel regarding a 2017 illegal donation scandal. While Weidel previously maintained she only learned of the 132,000 euros in Swiss donations in September 2017, leaked emails from July 2017 suggest she was aware of expected funds intended for her social media campaign. The party previously paid a fine of nearly 400,000 euros related to these non-EU donations.

Additionally, the documents reveal internal party dynamics, including past tensions between Weidel and Björn Höcke. Emails from 2015–2017 show Weidel criticizing Höcke’s rhetoric and seeking his expulsion to avoid alienating moderate voters and attracting intelligence agency surveillance. The AfD has characterized the hack as a targeted attack on a democratic party and is investigating the incident.

Entities

Alexander Gauland · Alice Weidel · Alternative für Deutschland · Björn Höcke · Germany · Hexane · Pegida · Switzerland

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Alice Weidel previously attempted to expel Björn Höcke from the AfD. www.upday.com · 24-ore.com
[● 11 SOURCES] Hackers leaked over 420,000 emails and 48,000 documents from the AfD. www.upday.com · www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.lifo.gr · www.eldiario.es · mundoobrero.es · +5 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The German intelligence agency classified the AfD as a confirmed far-right organization in May 2025. www.upday.com
[● 8 SOURCES] Weidel requested her district treasurer monitor accounts twice weekly for expected donations in July 2017. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.lifo.gr · www.ikz-online.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.moin.de · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] In 2017, the AfD received 132,000 euros in illegal donations from a Swiss-based billionaire via pharmaceutical companies. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.lifo.gr · www.ikz-online.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.moin.de · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Weidel warned that proximity to the Pegida movement risked alienating moderate voters. www.upday.com · 24-ore.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The leaked data includes approximately 284 gigabytes of information. mundoobrero.es · www.eldiario.es · www.moin.de · www.queer.de · diariosocialista.net
[● 7 SOURCES] The AfD was required to pay a fine of nearly 400,000 euros due to the donation scandal. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.lifo.gr · www.moin.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.ikz-online.de · +2 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The hackers accessed the data through a third-party email hosting provider rather than direct infiltration of AfD systems. crime-nieuws.nl · mundoobrero.es · www.eldiario.es · diariosocialista.net · www.cmjornal.pt