Stephan Protschka, a far-right MP, shared a sensationalist article suggesting Ukrainian-Migrant conspiracies aimed at discrediting his party, sparking outrage among followers. This incident highlights a larger trend of Russian disinformation aimed at influencing Germany ahead of its federal elections on February 23. Researchers note that fabricated articles and manipulated videos are spreading through social media, employing bots to amplify their reach. The overarching strategy appears to be disrupting trust in mainstream political entities to elevate right-wing populism, notably the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
As the vote approaches, Russian influence campaigns have propagated wild claims about sexual, financial and criminal scandals involving German politicians, playing on social and political tensions.
The article was part of a torrent of Russian disinformation that has flooded Europe's biggest economic and diplomatic power ahead of its federal election.
The goal is to undermine trust in mainstream parties and media and to bolster Germany's far right, led by the Alternative for Germany, known as AfD.
Claims have appeared in fake news outlets and in videos that have been altered by artificial intelligence, spread by an army of bot accounts.
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