Thousands of protesters gathered in the German town of Riesa on Saturday to protest the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s congress, where Alice Weidel was chosen as the party’s candidate for chancellor in next month’s election. The meeting aimed to approve co-leader Weidel as the AfD’s top contender but faced significant opposition from protesters who blocked delegates’ arrival and demanded that Weidel withdraw her candidacy.
Police eventually cleared a blockade by around 8,000 protesters after two hours of delays, allowing the congress to proceed behind schedule. Protest organizers stated that police used pepper spray to disperse demonstrators, claiming they hit groups of protesters and used excessive force.
Weidel congratulated party colleagues for “defying the left-wing mob” during her speech at the congress, while co-leader Tino Chrupalla accused the protesters of acting as “anti-democrats and terrorists.” The AfD meeting also included a proposal to commit to a policy of “remigration,” which analysts see as having little chance of success in the upcoming election.
The protests were part of a larger response to Weidel’s endorsement by tech billionaire Elon Musk, who stated his support for her candidacy during a livestreamed chat. Despite polls showing the AfD party in second place with around 20% of the electorate’s support, other parties have refused to work with it due to concerns over its policies.
The protests reflect growing tensions within German politics, particularly regarding the AfD’s stance on immigration and European policy. The main opposition Union bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, is currently favored to become the next chancellor in the February 23 election, focusing on boosting Germany’s stagnant economy and reducing irregular migration.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/11/german-protesters-attempt-to-block-far-right-afd-congress