Clashes and Protests in Germany as Police Mobilize for AfD Congress

In Erfurt, thousands of people opposed to Alternative for Germany took to the streets to protest against the far-right party, blocking the entrance to the building where its congress was being held.

Authorities said around 15,000 citizens took part in the demonstrations held in Erfurt and the surrounding areas, while police deployed large forces from across Germany to ensure the smooth running of the two-day conference. Trade unions, civil society organizations and left-wing parties joined the rallies.

“We want to make it clear that we will not tolerate the rise of fascism in Germany,” said Georg Becker, spokesperson for the anti-AfD group “Widersetzen” or “Resist.”

This AfD gathering is being held at a time when the party is leading in several national polls. Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who currently lead the political force, are expected to be re-elected, while the upcoming elections in several eastern states are seen as crucial to its political ambitions.

AfD, founded more than a decade ago, has managed to significantly expand its support through nationalist rhetoric, calls for tougher measures on immigration, as well as voter dissatisfaction with successive governments and economic stagnation.

The party is accused by its opponents of promoting racist policies and damaging Germany’s democratic values. Meanwhile, the traditional political forces continue to reject any cooperation with it through the strategy known as the “firewall,” which aims to keep AfD out of government.

The latest polls show that AfD has around 29 percent support nationwide, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU bloc is ranked at 22 percent. In Saxony-Anhalt, the party leads with 41 percent support and aims to emerge victorious, while it also hopes to become the largest political force in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.