Through the teargas, I saw something missing from German politics for too long: hope
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Erfurt, Germany, to block the national congress of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), with protesters calling the movement a fight to protect German democracy.
The protests were part of a large civil disobedience campaign aimed at disrupting the AfD's annual party conference. Demonstrators blocked roads, staged sit-ins and attempted to delay delegates from reaching the venue. Despite the disruptions, the conference ultimately went ahead under heavy police protection, while party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla were re-elected.
According to the opinion article, many activists believe Germany's long-standing political "Brandmauer" (firewall against the far right) should extend beyond political parties and include ordinary citizens. Protesters argue that peaceful mass resistance can prevent extremist ideas from becoming normalized and demonstrate that many Germans reject the AfD's political agenda.
The AfD has continued to gain support in opinion polls, particularly in eastern Germany, making it one of the country's strongest political forces. Although mainstream parties continue to refuse coalition partnerships with the AfD under the "Brandmauer" policy, critics fear the party's growing popularity is putting increasing pressure on Germany's traditional political consensus.
The commentary argues that public demonstrations alone will not solve Germany's political challenges, but they can inspire civic participation and encourage more people to defend democratic values. Supporters of the movement say visible, peaceful resistance offers hope at a time when concerns about political polarization, extremism and declining public trust continue to grow across the country.