In Erfurt, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the congress of the right-wing populist AfD party. Despite clashes with the police, the conference began on time.
- Around 20,000 people protested in Erfurt against the AfD conference.
- The police deployed thousands of officers to maintain order.
- There were clashes between protesters and the police, but on the whole the demonstrations were peaceful.
- The AfD conference began on time, despite the blockades.
- The date of the congress coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Nazi congress in Weimar.
Mass protests in Erfurt
Large-scale protests took place in Erfurt, Germany, against the federal congress of the right-wing populist party «Alternative for Germany» (AfD). According to police, around 20,000 demonstrators took to the city’s streets. Protesters attempted to block access routes to the conference venue, blocked roads, chained themselves to tram tracks and even climbed down from bridges to prevent delegates from arriving.
Clashes with the police
Thousands of law enforcement officers were deployed to maintain public order in Erfurt. There were clashes between protesters and the police in isolated incidents. According to the police, the demonstrations were largely peaceful overall. Law enforcement officers recorded around 100 offences, most of which involved damage to property and graffiti.
Controversy over a symbolic date
Further outrage was caused by the fact that the AfD had scheduled its party conference to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Nazi party conference in Weimar, where Adolf Hitler represented the «Hitler Youth» and promoted the Nazi salute. Historians and politicians have described this move as a deliberate provocation. At the same time, the AfD rejects these accusations, claiming that its opponents are using history as a political tool.
The AfD is hoping for success in the elections
The party’s co-chairs are expected to Alice Weidel і Tino Hrupal will be re-elected for a new term. At the opening of the conference, Khrupalla stated that the protesters were opposing the democratic process, and also called on supporters to ensure the party’s victory in the forthcoming elections in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt.
