Thousands protest in Germany as far-right AfD sets sights on power
Thousands of people gathered in Erfurt, Germany, on Saturday to protest the annual conference of the far-right **Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)** party, while heavy police security surrounded the event and blocked access routes.
The demonstrations were organized by trade unions, civil society groups, and left-wing organizations, with protesters attempting to disrupt the conference through roadblocks and sit-ins. Police deployed a large security operation to clear blocked streets and ensure delegates could reach the venue. Despite the protests, the conference continued as planned.
Inside the conference, **AfD** delegates re-elected co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who have overseen the party's rapid rise in German politics. The leaders pledged to continue expanding the party's influence ahead of upcoming regional and national elections, presenting the AfD as an alternative to Germany's traditional political parties.
The conference highlighted the party's strong anti-immigration platform, with speeches focusing on border security, deportations, and criticism of the current government. The AfD has gained increasing support, particularly in eastern Germany, and recent opinion polls place it among the country's strongest political forces despite continued controversy over its policies.
Meanwhile, protesters accused the AfD of promoting extremist and anti-democratic ideas and warned against the normalization of far-right politics in Germany. Although the party has expanded its voter base, mainstream political parties continue to refuse coalition agreements with the AfD, maintaining a political "firewall" against cooperation.