Thuringia court lifts ban on gatherings near AfD party congress

A ban on gatherings along specific routes to the Messe Erfurt, the venue for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party congress, has been overturned by the Administrative Court of Weimar just before the event's start. The ban, issued by the Thuringia State Administrative Office, was intended to prevent planned blockades and ensure public safety and access for emergency services.

The court's decision came after an unnamed local politician, represented by a lawyer for the Green Party in the Erfurt city council, filed a legal challenge. The lawyer stated that the ruling demonstrates "that the fundamental right to freedom of assembly is valid in Erfurt and also in a large-scale situation." The AfD party congress, scheduled to last two days, is expected to elect a new party leadership.

Security authorities anticipate up to 50,000 counter-demonstrators, including hundreds deemed potentially violent. Several thousand police officers from across Germany have been deployed to manage the situation. The alliance 'Widersetzen' has announced plans to block access routes to the convention center, aiming to prevent the congress from taking place.

The State Administrative Office had justified the ban by citing intelligence about planned blockades and the need to protect emergency routes and public security. However, the Administrative Court found that the general decree was likely unlawful upon final review, as it also targeted peaceful assemblies. The court concluded that a police emergency situation had not been proven, leading to the granting of the appeal and the lifting of the assembly ban. An appeal against this decision can theoretically still be lodged with the Thuringian Higher Administrative Court.

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that the fundamental right to freedom of assembly is valid in Erfurt and also in a large-scale situation.