Around 15,000 anti-AfD demonstrators blocked roads to the party’s annual conference in Erfurt, warning against the rise of far-right extremism before key regional votes
ERFURT, Germany: Large Anti-AfD protests held in Germany on Saturday as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Erfurt to protest against Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, blocking roads leading to its annual conference and sending a strong message against what they described as the growing threat of extremism ahead of key regional elections.
The large-scale demonstration brought together trade unions, civil society organizations, and left-wing political groups, while thousands of police officers—including reinforcements from across Germany—were deployed to maintain security around the two-day AfD convention.
Police estimated that around 15,000 people participated in protests across Erfurt and surrounding areas. Groups of demonstrators, some wearing protective clothing, staged sit-ins on highways and major roads leading to the convention venue, disrupting access to the event.
“We want to make it absolutely clear that we will not tolerate fascism gaining ground in Germany,” said Georg Becker, spokesperson for Widersetzen (“Resistance”), an umbrella organization leading the anti-AfD protests.
Protesters Warn of Growing Far-Right Influence
The demonstrations come at a politically sensitive time, as the AfD prepares for crucial state elections in the eastern German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The party hopes strong regional performances will further strengthen its position on the national political stage.
Anti-AfD campaigners accuse the party of promoting racist rhetoric and policies that they believe conflict with Germany’s democratic values and constitutional order. They argue that the party poses a serious challenge to the country’s democratic institutions.
Germany’s mainstream political parties have continued to reject any cooperation with the AfD under the so-called “firewall” policy, designed to keep the far-right party isolated from governing coalitions.
AfD Continues to Lead Opinion Polls
Founded just over a decade ago, the AfD has surged to the top of several national opinion polls, overtaking Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU alliance.
The party has attracted voters through its nationalist messaging, calls for tougher immigration policies, and criticism of successive governments amid years of economic stagnation.
AfD co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are widely expected to be re-elected during the party conference.
AfD leaders reject accusations that they oppose Germany’s democratic system. Earlier this year, the party also secured a court injunction preventing Germany’s domestic intelligence agency from publicly describing it as an “extremist” organization while legal proceedings continue.
Eastern Germany Remains AfD’s Stronghold
Recent opinion polls place AfD support at 29% nationwide, compared with approximately 22% for Chancellor Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance.
The party also recorded significant gains in two regional elections in western Germany earlier this year.
However, its strongest support remains concentrated in the former communist eastern states, where surveys indicate widespread voter dissatisfaction with traditional political parties.
In Saxony-Anhalt, the latest polling shows the AfD leading with 41%, well ahead of the CDU’s 23%, putting the far-right party in a strong position to seek an outright electoral victory. The AfD is also hoping to emerge as the largest party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
