Police operation at AfD congress in Erfurt deemed 100% successful

Thuringia's Police Chief Thomas Quittenbaum declared the police operation surrounding the AfD party congress and associated protests in Erfurt a complete success. "100 percent of the operational concept has been achieved," he stated, expressing satisfaction with the largely peaceful proceedings. Quittenbaum noted that the 31,000 demonstrators, including 15,000 at a rally near the venue, were able to exercise their freedom of speech.

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100 percent of the operational concept has been achieved.

Despite the large scale of the protests, which also involved sit-ins and demonstrations, police intervention was minimal, primarily focused on maintaining emergency access routes. "There were minor skirmishes that we are all examining," Quittenbaum said, defending the significant police presence of several thousand officers, supported by other German states. He explained that the decision to deploy such a force was informed by previous AfD gatherings in Gießen and Riesa, and by online calls for violence.

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There were minor skirmishes that we are all examining.

Erfurt's Mayor Andreas Horn (CDU) acknowledged the online sentiment that a "battle for Erfurt" was imminent. However, he emphasized that the peaceful conclusion of the protests allowed the Thuringian state capital to "send a signal for a vibrant democracy" and present itself as open-minded. The operation aimed to balance the right to protest with the need for public order and safety.

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a 'battle for Erfurt' was imminent