A massive protest took place in Munich, Germany, on Saturday as over 200,000 people gathered against far-right extremism ahead of the country’s general election. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party with anti-immigrant views, is currently in second place in recent polls.
The demonstration, held at Theresienwiese, saw a larger turnout than expected and was supported by various activist groups, including the Munich Film Festival and several local soccer clubs. Police described the event as peaceful.
Similar protests were held in other cities across Germany, with demonstrators calling out against AfD’s ideologies and policies. Critics argue that the party’s rise is a threat to Germany’s democratic values and promises made after World War II.
The protest coincided with concerns over Friedrich Merz’s plans for tougher migration rules, which have drawn support from AfD members. Merz has denied working with the far-right party, but critics see his proposal as a betrayal of Germany’s post-war commitments to democracy and inclusivity.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/germany-munich-election-afd-protests-29cdd1441e670a9f13394d2a44f035a5