Russia’s Disinformation Machine Targets German Elections: Resurgence of the Doppelgänger Campaign
Berlin – The specter of foreign interference looms large over the upcoming German federal elections, scheduled for February 23rd. A sophisticated disinformation campaign, dubbed "Doppelgänger," has resurfaced, aiming to manipulate public opinion and bolster the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This revelation, brought to light by the German non-profit organization CeMAS, underscores the ongoing challenge of safeguarding democratic processes from malicious online influence operations. The Doppelgänger campaign, first detected in 2022 during the initial stages of the war in Ukraine, utilizes deceptive tactics to disseminate propaganda disguised as legitimate news.
The Doppelgänger campaign operates through the creation of cloned websites mimicking reputable German news outlets. These counterfeit websites, with deceptively similar domain names and visual layouts, publish fabricated articles designed to spread disinformation and manipulate public perception. This strategy allows Russian-backed actors to disseminate propaganda while masking its origin, giving it a veneer of credibility. Initially focusing on spreading false narratives about the war in Ukraine, the campaign has shifted its focus to influencing European elections and undermining trust in Western institutions.
CeMAS’s investigation revealed a surge in Doppelgänger activity on X (formerly Twitter) between mid-December and mid-January. Over 630 posts exhibiting characteristic Doppelgänger patterns were identified, many linking to fraudulent websites impersonating prominent German media outlets such as Der Spiegel and Welt. These posts disseminated negative portrayals of the Green party, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), while consistently promoting the AfD. This targeted approach suggests a deliberate attempt to sway voter preferences and destabilize the political landscape.
The content of these posts reflects a clear pro-AfD bias, echoing the party’s rhetoric on issues such as the relationship with Russia and the current economic challenges facing Germany. One example cited by CeMAS features a photo of AfD leader Alice Weidel alongside the caption: "Constant confrontation with Russia only harms us. It is time for a change in politics. AfD shows the way." This blatant manipulation of public discourse raises serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the potential impact of foreign interference.
While X has suspended many of the accounts involved in disseminating this disinformation, questions remain about the platform’s effectiveness in combating such campaigns. Experts and watchdog organizations have called for more robust measures to prevent the spread of malicious content and hold social media platforms accountable. The case of RT DE, the German-language channel of the sanctioned Russian state-media outlet RT, further highlights the challenges of enforcing restrictions on sanctioned entities. Despite being banned within the European Union, RT DE managed to open a verified account on X, accumulating thousands of followers before being removed. This incident raises questions about the platform’s due diligence in verifying accounts and enforcing its own policies regarding sanctioned entities.
The resurgence of the Doppelgänger campaign underlines the persistent threat posed by foreign disinformation operations. While sanctions and investigations have weakened the campaign’s infrastructure, concerns remain about its adaptability and resilience. The discovery that the campaign had been utilizing European IT services highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation among international actors to effectively counter these threats. As the German elections approach, the need for robust countermeasures and increased public awareness of disinformation tactics is paramount to ensuring a fair and democratic electoral process. The case of the Doppelgänger campaign serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of democratic systems to online manipulation and the importance of continued vigilance in the face of evolving disinformation tactics.