Thousands protest German far-right AfD party at annual congress

Thousands of opponents of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party took to the streets in Erfurt, blocking roads to the party's annual congress. The protests occurred ahead of state elections in September, where the AfD aims to gain power at the state level for the first time.

Local police estimated that up to 20,000 people participated in the demonstrations. A ban on protests on several access roads around the congress venue was in effect to ensure participants could reach the conference. Demonstrators included members of trade unions, civil society organizations, and left-wing parties.

Reinforcements from across Germany were deployed to manage the AfD's two-day congress. Georg Becker, spokesperson for the anti-AfD group Widersetzen, stated, "We want to make it clear that we simply will not tolerate fascism advancing here in Germany." The congress is expected to see the re-election of party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla.

The AfD, founded over a decade ago, has gained significant traction in opinion polls, surpassing Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU party. The party attributes its success to a mix of nationalist rhetoric, calls for stricter immigration policies, and an appeal to voters frustrated with Germany's prolonged economic stagnation.

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We want to make it clear that we simply will not tolerate fascism advancing here in Germany.