Massive data leak shakes Germany's AfD: more than 400,000 internal emails made public

Germany's controversial political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been shaken by a massive data leak. More than 400,000 of the party's internal emails have become public, including messages from top leaders Alice Weidel and Alexander Gauland.

The leaked documents not only expose glaring security flaws in the party, but some parts contain politically explosive material as well. The leak has set off a storm in German politics.

Meanwhile, an internal power struggle in the party in North Rhine-Westphalia has escalated again. The conflict between state leader Martin Vincentz and the camp of Bundestag member Matthias Helferich is growing.

The feud has reportedly become so intense that it has even become entangled with a traditional fraternity fencing duel (Mensur). At the same time, the federal executive is intervening with harsh disciplinary measures that could tip the internal balance of majorities.

Disunity is also visible in the party's Bundestag group. In votes on Bundeswehr deployments abroad, the party has voted in a split fashion, and parliamentary group leader Tino Chrupalla has abstained.

According to analysts, the party is caught in a balancing act between security policy and presenting itself as a party of peace. That tension is reflected in the divided voting.

The AfD is described as Germany's most controversial party. Despite being under observation by the domestic intelligence service, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, over allegations of radicalisation, the party continues to grow.

In this situation, the leak of 400,000 emails has created a new crisis for the party. Questions are being asked about the source and scope of the leak, while opponents are presenting it as proof of internal chaos in the party.

Discussion of the leak continues among the party's supporters, strategists and opponents. Questions about how the party works internally and what its rise means for Germany's political system have come to the fore again.

It will take time to understand the full impact of the leaked material. For now it is clear that both the party's failure in data security and its internal feuding are at the centre of discussion in the German media.