AfD spokesperson Matthias Moosdorf in trouble over involvement in Moscow music academy

The foreign policy spokesperson for the AfD parliamentary group, Matthias Moosdorf, could lose his post due to his involvement in a music academy in Moscow. In the parliamentary group's foreign policy working group, a majority of MPs voted in favor of replacing him as spokesperson, as confirmed by a parliamentary group spokesperson. Previously, "t-online" had reported.

Moosdorf himself pointed out when asked that this was not a vote to remove him, but rather an opinion poll. Only the parliamentary group can decide to vote out of office with a two-thirds majority. This was also confirmed by the spokesperson.

Whether such a majority will be achieved is difficult to estimate, according to information from parliamentary party leaders. According to consistent statements, a decision will probably not be made until the coming week of the session.

Three days "privately in Moscow"

Moosdorf had confirmed that he had accepted an honorary professorship at the internationally renowned Moscow Gnessin Academy of Music in September. The academy is funded by the Russian Ministry of Culture. The cellist wrote in a statement that it was above all a sign of understanding. Music knows no ideological boundaries. The 59-year-old, who sits in the Bundestag for the Saxon AfD, said he spent three days "privately in Moscow" in September. He had announced that he would "spend several days there once a quarter teaching chamber music to ensembles".

Head of parliamentary group sees "problematic"

The head of the parliamentary group is skeptical about the Moscow connection of its foreign policy spokesperson. First Parliamentary Secretary Bernd Baumann said that this should be judged differently than if it were simply a professorship somewhere abroad. This has a political component, he said, and there is a problem.

Moosdorf told the German Press Agency that he has now informed the Academy that he has completely ruled out flying to Moscow for the current legislative period due to the election campaign that is now starting. "I now have to put everything into the election campaign and have absolutely no time for these side issues." He emphasized that he had not accepted a position at the academy, there was no contract and he had not received any money.