AfD party conference live ticker Activists justify attack on journalists
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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Erfurt as the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) held its national party congress, where party leaders were re-elected despite widespread protests and heavy security.
The two-day congress opened on schedule even after protesters attempted to block access to the venue. Around 600 delegates attended the event, with many arriving before dawn to avoid road blockades. Police deployed a large security operation as tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied across the city against the party's anti-immigration policies and growing political influence.
Delegates overwhelmingly re-elected Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as co-leaders of the AfD. Weidel secured her strongest leadership mandate to date, strengthening her position within the party, while Chrupalla retained his role despite receiving a lower level of support. The congress also elected several new members to the party's national executive committee, reflecting shifting internal alliances ahead of important regional elections.
The meeting was briefly disrupted by an unusual act of sabotage when the "Imperial March" theme from Star Wars unexpectedly played inside the conference hall. Security personnel and investigators later discovered a hidden Bluetooth speaker concealed within the building's wall structure. The device was removed after an extensive search, and the congress continued without further interruption.
During their speeches, AfD leaders presented the party as Germany's "new people's party" and vowed to continue expanding their influence in both regional and national politics. They renewed calls for stricter immigration policies, stronger border controls, and the deportation of illegal migrants and convicted foreign criminals. The leadership also set its sights on upcoming elections in eastern Germany, where the party expects to make further gains.
Outside the venue, demonstrations remained largely peaceful despite isolated clashes between protesters and police. Mainstream political parties continued to reject any cooperation with the AfD under Germany's "Brandmauer" (firewall) policy, which aims to keep the party out of governing coalitions. Even as public opposition remained strong, recent opinion polls suggested the AfD continues to gain support, highlighting the country's increasingly polarized political landscape.