German far-right candidate resigns over China spying case

AfD's Maximilian Krah quits party leadership amid 'string of scandals'

BERLIN (AP) — A prominent German far-right lawmaker said Wednesday he will resign from the party’s leadership and withdraw his candidacy for the European Parliament elections after his aide was charged with spying for China.

The announcement by Maximilian Krah deepens a series of scandals that have hit his Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, ahead of the May 26 elections.

Federal prosecutors said Tuesday that Krah’s former parliamentary aide was arrested on suspicion of passing state secrets to a Chinese intelligence agency. The aide’s lawyer has confirmed the arrest but declined to comment.

Krah said in a statement that he was not personally implicated in the spying case, but that he was taking responsibility for the “string of scandals” that have hit the AfD.

“I have always acted in the interests of my country, but I can no longer lead the AfD into the European elections with the necessary strength,” he said.

Krah, whose resignation takes effect immediately, said he would remain a member of the AfD but would not run for office in the European elections.

The scandals involving Krah come at a most inconvenient time for the AfD, which is hoping to make gains in the European elections. The party has been hemorrhaging support in recent months amid a series of infighting and corruption scandals.