Thousands rally for democracy in Germany ahead of Saxony-Anhalt vote

Several thousand people gathered in Magdeburg on Saturday to defend “democracy,” one day before Saxony-Anhalt votes in an election expected to bring the far-right Alternative for Germany a historic victory.

The demonstration was organized by a coalition of associations called “Saxony-Anhalt. Open to the World.” People of all ages converged on the cathedral, where speeches and concerts were scheduled. Some carried rainbow flags and signs reading “more love, less hate” and “a better life without Nazis.” Another placard said that potatoes, too, come from abroad.

The AfD leads the polls in the eastern German state, which has 2.1 million inhabitants. The anti-immigration party supports Donald Trump and is close to Russia. It aims to lead the state government, a breakthrough that would be unprecedented in Germany since 1945.

Winning the most votes would not automatically give the AfD power. The party is not certain to win an absolute majority, and every other party has so far ruled out governing with it. The exception is the pro-Russian left-wing BSW, whose members are divided over whether to cooperate with the far right.