20,000 Protest AfD Party Congress in Germany Amid Rising Far-Right Influence

Thousands of demonstrators converged on Erfurt, the capital of Germany's Thuringia state, on July 4th, aiming to disrupt the annual congress of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Police estimated around 20,000 protesters participated in the event, which saw major roads blocked and public transport services interfered with.

The protests, organized under the banner "Resistance," sought to impede delegates from reaching the venue for the AfD's two-day congress. Despite the disruptions, most AfD delegates managed to arrive, and the congress commenced as scheduled. Initial clashes between protesters and the thousands of police deployed were reportedly minor.

Young protesters voiced strong opposition, with 19-year-old Lene Krug from Gera calling the AfD "a party that spreads hatred and is anti-democratic." Another demonstrator, who identified herself only as Ella, disrupted light rail services, stating, "The history of 1933 to 1945 must not be repeated... Democratic parties must understand that the AfD must be banned."

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The AfD is a party that spreads hatred and is anti-democratic.

The AfD's rapid ascent in national polls has unsettled many Germans, who feel a responsibility to counter far-right politics given the country's Nazi past. The party's decision to hold its congress near Weimar, marking the 100th anniversary of the Nazi party's own congress in the region, has been criticized as a deliberate provocation, though the AfD denies this.

The congress is taking place amid heightened political tensions, with the AfD currently leading in national opinion polls and potentially poised to gain power in upcoming regional elections. The large-scale protest underscores the deep divisions within Germany regarding the AfD's political platform and its growing influence.

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The history of 1933 to 1945 must not be repeated... Democratic parties must understand that the AfD must be banned.