Key facts
- Approximately 20,000 people protested against the AfD's annual conference in Erfurt, Germany.
- Protesters attempted to blockade roads and tram lines to disrupt the conference.
- Clashes occurred between protesters and riot police.
- An AfD office and police officers were attacked with paint bombs and fireworks.
- AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are expected to be re-elected as co-leaders.
- The conference began on time despite protest efforts.
Riot police clashed with thousands of opponents of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in Erfurt, Germany, as they attempted to block delegates from attending the party's biennial national conference. Approximately 20,000 protesters staged sit-in blockades and other disruptions, with some clashes reported and an AfD office and police officers targeted with paint bombs and fireworks. Despite these efforts, the conference began on time, with AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla expected to be re-elected as co-leaders.
The AfD's decision to hold its conference on the centennial of a Nazi party conference in nearby Weimar has drawn criticism, with historians and politicians viewing it as a provocation, a claim the AfD denies. Opponents accuse the party of promoting racist and anti-Muslim policies and downplaying Nazi crimes. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla stated that holding party conferences is a guaranteed right and accused demonstrators of protesting against democratic decision-making.
Protesters included federal environment minister Carsten Schneider and Thuringia's interior minister Georg Maier. Demonstrators expressed concerns about the party's anti-democratic nature and spread of hate, with some calling for a ban on the AfD.