Hackers release AfD emails as Germany secures billions in investment pledges

Berlin summit yields €225 billion in commitments; Amazon plans €16 billion investment for 2027

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) said it is investigating the theft and online publication of emails stolen during a cyberattack last month, as an investment summit in Berlin secured more than €225 billion in pledges from domestic and international companies, including a €16 billion commitment from Amazon.

The AfD confirmed on Tuesday that hackers had targeted a hosting provider used by the party and appeared to have copied data from a small number of mostly inactive email accounts. A spokesperson said the online publication of what is presumably a portion of this data was being investigated, and that a preliminary assessment could only be provided once the investigation was concluded. German daily Bild reported that over 420,000 AfD-linked emails were published, including messages from co-leader Alice Weidel, as well as bank statements, academic certificates and membership lists. The data, totalling 281 gigabytes, was published under the headline "The party's own records, unedited." The website hosting the material was offline by Tuesday afternoon. The authenticity of the leaked material has not been independently verified.

Separately, the Invest in Germany Summit in Berlin drew commitments exceeding €225 billion, according to Economy Minister Katherina Reiche. She said the figure only included deals above a volume of €100 million. Among the largest pledges was Amazon's intention to invest €16 billion in Germany next year, with the company citing expansion of data centres and AI infrastructure, high-speed satellite internet through Project Kuiper, new logistics projects and a major Prime Video production slate. Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer, David Zapolsky, said in a statement that Germany is "a hub of innovation and one of the most attractive investment opportunities in Europe." Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in an upbeat speech, portrayed Germans as reliable and predictable, while Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil bluntly told investors: "I want your money."

Germany's economic confidence, however, has declined. The ZEW economic confidence index fell to a three-month low of 28.1 in October, down from 34.7 in September. ZEW President Achim Wambach said private consumption and investment remain weak due to high energy prices, which keep inflation higher for longer. The German economy, he said, is slowly emerging from stagnation, but the recovery is not self-sustaining.

In Berlin, the Left Party is holding a meeting to discuss the future of parliamentarian Vanessa Emde, who has made controversial pro-Palestinian statements including questioning states' right to exist. Emde has refused to retract her statements and has criticised a party declaration on antisemitism that affirmed Israel's right to existence.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The AfD email leak could deepen political turmoil around a party that has been topping national opinion polls and is under scrutiny from domestic intelligence agencies.
The investment summit signals continued international confidence in Germany as a business destination, despite broader economic stagnation and high energy costs.
Amazon's €16 billion commitment highlights the growing strategic importance of AI infrastructure and data centres in Europe's largest economy.

Background

Germany is Europe's largest economy, but it has faced headwinds from high energy prices, weak private consumption and stagnant growth. The far-right AfD has gained significant support in recent state elections, and several state chapters have been classified as "confirmed right-wing extremist" by domestic intelligence. The Berlin investment summit was convened to attract capital at a time when many traditional family-owned businesses struggle to find successors. The ZEW index is a key indicator of economic sentiment based on surveys of financial experts.

Key Perspectives

The AfD: The party is investigating the hack and says it can only comment once the investigation is concluded. It has not confirmed the authenticity of the leaked emails. German government and investors: Chancellor Merz and Finance Minister Klingbeil pitched Germany as a reliable, predictable investment destination, securing billions in pledges. Amazon emphasised Germany's innovative environment and its own long-term investment history. ZEW and economic analysts: Experts point to persistent weaknesses: high energy prices, weak consumption and reliance on foreign investment to sustain recovery. Berlin Left Party and critics: The party faces internal divisions over how to handle Vanessa Emde's anti-Israel statements, reflecting broader tensions in Germany over free speech and antisemitism.

What to Watch

The outcome of the AfD's investigation and whether further leaks or legal actions follow.
Whether the pledged investments at the summit materialise into concrete projects, particularly Amazon's data centre and logistics expansions.
The Berlin Left Party's decision on Vanessa Emde's future and its potential impact on coalition negotiations with the Greens and SPD.

Sources

Germany news: Hackers release AfD party emails · DW English

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedHackers released emails stolen from the AfD.DW English: “Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) said on Tuesday that it was looking into the theft and subsequent online publication of emails stolen by unidentified hackers during a cyberattack last month.”
SupportedThe Berlin summit secured billions in investment pledges for Germany.DW English: “More than €225 billion ($252.5 billion) has so far been pledged in investments in Germany at a summit in Berlin”
Partly supportedThe summit yielded €225 billion in commitments.DW English: “More than €225 billion ($252.5 billion) has so far been pledged in investments in Germany”
Partly supportedAmazon made a €16 billion investment commitment to Germany.DW English: “Amazon, which said it intended to pour some €16 billion into Germany next year for various schemes.”
Partly supportedThe AfD confirmed that hackers targeted its hosting provider and appeared to copy data from mostly inactive accounts.DW English: “An AfD spokesperson said the hackers had targeted a hosting provider used by the party and appeared to have copied data from a small number of mostly inactive email accounts.”
Not in the sourcesThe €225 billion in pledges came from domestic and international companies.DW English: “More than €225 billion ($252.5 billion) has so far been pledged in investments in Germany at a summit in Berlin attended by top business leaders, German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said on Tuesday.”
SupportedBild reported more than 420,000 AfD-linked emails were published, including messages from Alice Weidel and other material.DW English: “an earlier report by the mass-circulation daily Bild put the number of AfD-linked emails published at more than 420,000. According to Bild, the material published included not only emails sent by party figures such as co-leader Alice Weidel but also bank statements, academic certificates and membership lists.”
Partly supportedThe published material included high-speed satellite internet through Project Kuiper.DW English: “The company said these would include “the expansion of data centers and AI infrastructure, high-speed satellite internet through Amazon Leo, new logistics projects across the country, and a major new production slate by Prime Video.””
SupportedThe leaked material has not been independently authenticated.DW English: “The emails and other materials published have not yet been certified as authentic by any independent body.”
SupportedAmazon’s David Zapolsky called Germany “a hub of innovation and one of the most attractive investment opportunities in Europe.”DW English: ““Germany is a hub of innovation and one of the most attractive investment opportunities in Europe,” David Zapolsky, Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer, was quoted as saying in a statement.”
SupportedLars Klingbeil told investors, “I want your money.”DW English: “Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil also used blunt humor in his appeal to potential investors, saying in his speech simply: “I want your money.””
SupportedThe ZEW economic confidence index fell to 28.1 in October from 34.7 in September.DW English: “The ZEW's monthly economic confidence index fell to a three-month low on Tuesday, down to 28.1 from 34.7 in September.”