Hannes Gnauck (born 8 August 1991) is a German Alternative for Germany (AfD) politician. He is the federal chairman of the far-right youth organization of the AfD, Young Alternative for Germany (JA) and has been a member of the Bundestag since 2021.
The Bundeswehr's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) classifies him as a “recognized extremist”. MAD investigates information about possible anti-constitutional efforts within the armed forces.[1] After the MAD determined in 2020 that Gnauck is a right-wing extremist, the Bundeswehr law was applied to him. He is forbidden to wear the Bundeswehr uniform, he is forbidden from duty and he is only allowed to enter Bundeswehr facilities when he is asked to do so by the Bundeswehr.[2]
In 2021, Hannes Gnauck was elected as the successor to Carlo Clemens as federal chairman of the far-right youth organization of AfD, JA.[3]Gnauck was elected to the Bundestag in 2021. There he represents the AfD in the defense committee. Politicians from other parties criticize sharply that an extremist, investigated by German Intelligent Service is part of the state defence committee.[1][4]
