The far-right German party AfD has received a donation of over €2.3 million, the party announced on Monday, less than three weeks before the German parliamentary elections.
The Austrian public broadcaster (ORF) reported that the money comes from Gerhard Dingler, a former local official of Austria’s far-right FPÖ party.
Dingler justified the donation by citing the possible further escalation of the war in Ukraine, claiming that the AfD is the only German party credibly advocating for peace.
German broadcasters WDR and NDR had previously reported that Dingler would donate a significant amount for a poster campaign.
Dingler’s contribution marks the third large donation to AfD since January 21. According to official records, the EU-sceptic party has also received €999,900 and €1.5 million in less than two weeks.
In Germany, any donation exceeding €35,000 must be immediately reported to the President of the Bundestag.
