CSU Leader Advocates Continued Exclusion of AfD from Munich Security Conference

The debate over the participation of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the Munich Security Conference has intensified, as a prominent member of the Christian Social Union (CSU) has called for the party's continued exclusion in the upcoming 2026 event. The decision is primarily motivated by concerns regarding the AfD's international affiliations and perceived security risks.

Alexander Hoffmann, head of the CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, underscored the necessity of restricting access for the AfD, pointing to the party's documented connections with Russia and China. According to Hoffmann, these relationships could result in sensitive information being shared, potentially compromising conference security and international trust among participants.

The Munich Security Conference, regarded as a leading global forum for high-level discussions on international security policy, is scheduled to take place from February 13 to 15, 2026. The event is expected to host top-level representatives, including heads of state, government officials, and defense and foreign ministers, at its traditional venue in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof.

In previous years, the conference leadership chose not to invite the AfD, citing their conduct during parliamentary events. Notably, both the AfD and the Alliance for Sovereignty and Progress (BSW) were excluded following their departure from the Bundestag during a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This act was viewed as contrary to the spirit of dialogue promoted by the conference. Criticism of this exclusion has emerged from several quarters, including the US government, which had previously expressed concerns regarding the lack of engagement with all political factions.

The current leadership of the Munich Security Conference is transitioning, with former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg serving as chair while maintaining his governmental role in Norway. As a result, Wolfgang Ischinger, a previous longtime conference head, will return to oversee the 2026 event. A final decision regarding the potential invitation of the AfD is expected early in the year.

The issue of transatlantic relations has also added complexity to the situation. During the last conference, US Vice President JD Vance criticized the exclusion of the AfD, arguing that such measures undermine democratic principles. In an apparent response, he met with AfD leader Alice Weidel outside the conference venue, while a meeting with the German Chancellor did not take place. These developments highlight ongoing tensions between different approaches to inclusivity and dialogue within international forums.

Meanwhile, the AfD continues to strengthen its ties with political actors in the United States. A delegation of six Bundestag members from the AfD recently traveled to Washington and New York to establish connections with the US administration and the Republican Party. The party's foreign policy spokesperson, Markus Frohnmaier, announced plans to host a congress in Berlin in February, inviting representatives from the US Department of State, members of Congress, and American lobbying organizations to foster further cooperation.

With regional elections approaching in five German states in 2026, the discussion over the possibility of an AfD ban has resurfaced. Hoffmann cautioned against advancing this debate in the political sphere, suggesting that it may inadvertently benefit the AfD by increasing its visibility and support in opinion polls, particularly in states such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt, where the party has polled as high as 40 percent.

Legal authorities, including former Constitutional Court judge Udo Di Fabio, have also commented on the feasibility of a ban. While acknowledging that a prohibition could become necessary if the AfD were to pursue more radical objectives or challenge the constitutional order, Di Fabio indicated that current conditions may not yet justify such measures, recommending cautious deliberation.

As the Munich Security Conference approaches, the debate over political participation, security, and democratic engagement remains at the forefront of German and international discourse. The eventual decision on AfD's involvement is likely to have significant implications for both domestic politics and Germany's relationships with global partners.