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Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is exploiting the surge in energy prices to revive long-standing calls for Berlin to turn back to Russia for cheap energy. This move comes after the party achieved resounding results in two state elections this month.
Petrol prices in Germany have reportedly surged more than 15% since the United States and Israel began the war against Iran a month ago. AfD’s argument received a warm welcome from voters in Baden-Württemberg, Germany’s automotive industry hub, on Tuesday (31/03/2026).
AfD’s lead candidate in Baden-Württemberg, Markus Frohnmaier, pointed out that energy prices in Germany are currently about twice as high as in China or the United States.
“It is a determining issue. This election campaign is entirely about the economy, the economy, and the economy,” said Frohnmaier, quoted by Reuters.
AfD has now strengthened its position as Germany’s second-largest party by winning around 20% of the vote, both in Baden-Württemberg and in the neighbouring state of Rhineland-Palatinate. This achievement marks their best result ever in western Germany.
Frohnmaier emphasised that Germany’s current economic situation is in a very worrying phase and requires a quick solution.
“Germany’s economic situation is currently terrible. It is very important for German energy sovereignty, as well as affordable electricity, that Germany starts importing Russian gas and oil again,” stressed Frohnmaier.
Russia previously supplied more than a third of Germany’s crude oil imports and more than half of its natural gas needs. However, Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the sudden closure of the Nord Stream pipeline forced Berlin to seek alternative suppliers such as Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
According to statistics office data, except for small indirect imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Germany has eliminated Russian oil and gas from its energy mix. Yet, for two decades under the leadership of Gerhard Schröder and Angela Merkel, Germany’s economic model was built on access to cheap Russian energy.
The shock of losing cheap energy has also pushed Germany into a two-year recession, and the country has only just begun to recover. This, combined with rising layoffs in the manufacturing sector due to high energy costs and fierce competition from China, has created an opening for AfD to promote Russian energy once more.
Political scientist and AfD expert Johannes Hillje assesses that AfD’s narrative is highly effective because it directly touches on household economic issues.
“This argument is much more closely related to people’s daily lives than abstract geopolitical statements,” said Hillje.
For many in Germany’s major parties, the call to return to Russian energy is seen as AfD’s attempt to undermine isolation against Russia. The party has long been accused of sympathising with Moscow.
A member of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee from the Conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) party, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Roderich Kiesewetter, accused AfD of running Moscow’s agenda.
“AfD is deliberately promoting Russia’s narrative in Germany. It would be a disaster for European security and the trust of our partners if Russian oil and gas imports increase,” said Kiesewetter.
Nevertheless, Kiesewetter acknowledged that among fellow CDU members and coalition partner Social Democrats (SPD), some are beginning to voice similar calls to restore trade and economic relations with Russia.
On the other hand, Frohnmaier asserted that German politicians should not worry whether buying gas would aid Moscow’s war efforts.
“We were not elected to represent Ukraine’s national interests,” said Frohnmaier.
AfD initially gained significant support due to its opposition to the surge in immigration, but it is now expanding its focus to economic issues. Frohnmaier rejected the notion that Germany is safe with its current alternative energy sources.
“People vote for political parties they believe can solve the current problems,” said Frohnmaier.
In eastern Germany, where AfD has a strong chance of winning in Saxony-Anhalt in the September elections, the argument for cheap energy is expected to gain even more traction. The Prime Minister of the state of Saxony from the CDU party, Michael Kretschmer, confirmed this public sentiment.
“There is a widespread view in German society that cutting ties with Russia was a mistake. The further east you go, the stronger this feeling becomes,” concluded Kretschmer.