Thousands protest in Germany as far-right AfD sets sights on power

Thousands of protesters gathered in Erfurt, Germany, on Saturday to demonstrate against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Demonstrators from unions, civil society groups, and left-wing parties blocked roads leading to the AfD's annual conference, which began the same day.

“

Thousands protested against Germany's far-right AfD and blocked roads to its annual conference

Large numbers of police, including reinforcements from across Germany, were deployed to manage the demonstrations, which police estimated involved around 15,000 people. Protesters sat in rows to obstruct access to the convention center where the AfD's two-day conference was being held.

Inside the conference, the AfD re-elected party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. Under their leadership, the AfD has surged in national opinion polls, surpassing Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative party. In their opening speeches, the leaders criticized the protesters as anti-democratic and celebrated the party's growing influence, which they hope will lead to taking power in regional elections this year.

“

For this remains our last chance to save our country. More and more people in this country want to support us in the fight against Germany's decline, in the fight for our fatherland and for our identity.

"For this remains our last chance to save our country," Weidel stated, emphasizing the party's appeal to those fighting against "Germany's decline" and for "our fatherland and for our identity." The party's hard-line stance on immigration was evident, with an anti-immigration song playing before the convention and merchandise bearing slogans like "YOU will be deported" being sold. Bjoern Hoecke, a prominent party figure, invoked nostalgia and criticized the state of Germany, using examples like public toilets to illustrate national malaise.

“

YOU will be deported

The conference precedes crucial regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in September, which the AfD views as a stepping stone to national power. "We will govern. First at a regional level, then at national level," Chrupalla declared.

“

A great Germany is a Germany where one need not fear taking a walk through the city park in the evening. A great Germany is a country where apartment keys can be left hanging on the outside of the door.