Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Erfurt, Germany, on Saturday to protest the annual conference of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Protesters from labor unions, civil society groups, and left-wing organizations blocked roads leading to the conference venue, while police deployed large numbers of officers to maintain security.
Authorities estimated that around 15,000 people participated in the protests. Demonstrators said they wanted to oppose what they described as the growing influence of far-right politics in Germany.
The two-day conference comes ahead of key regional elections in eastern Germany, where the AfD hopes to strengthen its position and expand its national influence. Party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are expected to be re-elected as co-chairs.
Since its founding more than a decade ago, the AfD has gained support through nationalist policies, calls for stricter immigration controls, and growing public dissatisfaction with economic conditions and mainstream political parties.
Critics accuse the party of promoting racist and anti-democratic views, while major political parties continue to refuse cooperation with the AfD under Germany’s longstanding political “firewall” policy. The AfD rejects accusations that it opposes Germany’s democratic order.