Thousands protest in Germany as far-right AfD party meets | The Far Right News

Protesters from unions, civil society and left-wing parties are planning to disrupt the AfD’s annual conference in Erfurt.

Thousands of protesters from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) have blocked roads to the party’s annual congress in preparation for regional elections.

About 20,000 people flocked to Erfurt, in the state of Thuringia, on Saturday, according to German police.

Protesters from unions, civil society and left-wing parties gathered in the center of the city, about 250km (155 miles) southwest of the capital Berlin. Police also reported that several roads were closed.

“We want to make it clear that we will not allow this, that this party is increasing here in Germany,” Georg Becker, a spokesman for Widersetzen (“Resist”), an anti-AfD group, told Reuters.

Dozens of police, including activists from across Germany, were deployed ahead of the AfD’s two-day rally. Police told the dpa news agency that they have counted more than 200 protest buses arriving in Erfurt.

Demonstrators blocked the roads into the city, with some fleeing on road bridges. Several groups held blockades around the city, the AFP news agency reported. The Associated Press reported that some protesters clashed with police armed with assault weapons.

However, most of the AfD delegates managed to reach the conference venue where party representatives said the conference started on time despite the protests.

‘Anti-democratic’ and ‘extremist’ views

The AfD became the second largest party in last year’s election, achieving the best result for a far-right party since the Second World War.

Polls show the party has opened up a clear lead over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is partially driven by years of economic turmoil. The AfD looks set to take power at the state level for the first time in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, paving the way for a major landslide victory.

Although the AfD has grown significantly, it remains controversial. All major parties have refused to cooperate with the AfD for its “anti-democratic” and “extremist” views.

The AfD has been under surveillance by the domestic intelligence agency for several years on suspicion of illegal activities.

Demonstrators in Erfurt want the party banned.

Noa Sander, a spokesman for the protest coalition Resist told AFP, “AfD wants mass deportations and ethnic cleansing,” referring to the party’s “exit.”

“It must be banned. We want to do this by banning their party meeting and standing up for the AfD, its policies and its members wherever they can be seen, to make sure they have no place in society.” Sander said.