Germany's Spiegel and Austria's Standard reported on Wednesday that the Austrian domestic intelligence service and federal criminal investigation bureau were investigating suspected money-laundering over a 2.6 million euro payment made to Dingler shortly before his donation.

A controversial donation to Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has triggered an investigation by Austrian authorities. The €2.35 million contribution, made in early February, played a significant role in AfD’s campaign ahead of Germany’s upcoming parliamentary elections.

One week before the German parliamentary elections, the four leading candidates clash with show host Günther Jauch. And right at the start, it's all