Saturday, July 4Saturday, July 41 hour · 2 summary articles
Tens of thousands protest in Erfurt as AfD opens party conference
Tens of thousands protest as AfD opens Erfurt congress amid blockades and clashes
Tens of thousands of protesters flooded Erfurt on Saturday as Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened its federal party conference, cordoning off roads, staging sit-down blockades, and clashing with police in a show of opposition to the party’s growing influence. Police counted 31,000 demonstrators across the city, while organisers claimed up to 50,000 took part in what organisers described as a historic mobilisation against what they see as a resurgent threat of fascism.
The AfD congress began on schedule inside Erfurt’s exhibition centre despite the protests, with party co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla formally re-elected to lead the party into pivotal state elections later this year. Weidel secured over 80% support and Chrupalla 70%, according to party officials, as delegates inside the hall dismissed reports of internal divisions. “Our political struggle has borne fruit so far, and that perseverance characterises us all,” Weidel told delegates, reaffirming the party’s claim to represent “the new people’s party of Germany.”
Outside, protesters from unions, civil society groups, and left-wing parties staged multiple blockades, including a sit-down protest on the A71 motorway that forced authorities to reroute traffic. Police reported seven major blockades across the city, with reinforcements from nearly every German state and federal police deployed to maintain order. Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD) told the *Deutsche Presse-Agentur* that while the demonstrations had been “loud and colourful,” they had remained largely peaceful. “We can be satisfied,” Maier said. “It is loud and colourful. I hope the further planned actions remain non-violent.”
Tensions flared at several points. Police said two journalists were injured by thrown bottles, one requiring hospital treatment, while a reporter for *Apollo News* claimed his team was physically attacked by demonstrators, with one member allegedly kicked from behind. The police could not immediately confirm the incident. Earlier, an AfD constituency office and officers were targeted with fireworks and paint bombs, according to authorities. Police also reported isolated scuffles at barricades, with pepper spray deployed in response.
Prominent figures addressed the crowds, including former Thuringian premier Bodo Ramelow (Left), DGB chair Yasmin Fahimi, Green party leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt, and federal environment minister Carsten Schneider (SPD). Göring-Eckardt told *Welt* that the protests were a defence of democracy. “We will not allow ourselves to be deprived of this peaceful demonstration,” she said. “We must defend our democracy.”
The protests coincided with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Hitler Youth in nearby Weimar, a historical parallel not lost on organisers. “We want to make it clear that we simply will not tolerate this, that fascism is on the rise here in Germany,” said Georg Becker, a spokesperson for the *Widersetzen* (“Resist”) alliance, which coordinated the demonstrations. Polls ahead of September state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania show the AfD leading with 41% and 35% respectively, raising the prospect of the party taking power in a German state for the first time since the Nazi era.
Despite the scale of the opposition, the AfD’s congress proceeded without disruption inside the hall, where delegates celebrated their re-election and vowed to press ahead with their agenda. The party has capitalised on public frustration with the governing coalition’s handling of economic stagnation and migration, positioning itself as the voice of disaffected voters.
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AfD-Parteitag von Protesten begleitet In Erfurt im deutschen Bundesland Thüringen hat am Samstag der Parteitag der rechtspopulistischen Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) begonnen. Die Parteispitze bekräftigte angesichts guter Umfragewerte ihren Führungsanspruch, Berichte über innerparteiliche Rivalitäten wurden zurückgewiesen. Begleitet wird das Treffen von umfangreichen Gegenprotesten.
orf.at · about 2 hours ago
Tienduizenden Duitsers protesteren bij partijcongres AfD, politie grijpt in Tienduizenden Duitsers demonstreren zaterdag in het Duitse Erfurt bij een partijcongres van het radicaal-rechtse AfD. Het lokale AfD-kantoor is daarbij bekogeld met vuurwerk en zakken verf. Het congres vindt zaterdag en zondag plaats.
nu.nl · about 2 hours ago
„Die Polizei fährt eine kluge Strategie Staatsrechtler Volker Boehme-Neßler erklärt die klare Rechtslage bei Demonstrationen und Blockaden rund um den AfD-Parteitag in Erfurt. „Wer mit Gewalt Parteitage verhindern will, hat kein demokratisches Bewusstsein.
welt.de · about 2 hours ago
Demonstranten verfolgen rechte Reporter: Mehrere Journalisten offenbar bei Protesten gegen AfD-Bundesparteitag verletzt Ein Reporterteam des Portals „Apollo News sei von Demonstranten attackiert worden, berichtet das Portal. Auch Journalisten der „Jungen Freiheit sollen angegriffen worden sein.
tagesspiegel · about 2 hours ago
AfD: Tausende protestieren gegen AfD-Parteitag in Erfurt Trotz Demonstrationen läuft der AfD-Parteitag in Erfurt bisher wie geplant. Aktivisten versperrten zuvor Zufahrtswege und versammeln sich nun auf dem Erfurter Messegelände.
handelsblatt · about 2 hours ago
Wochentaz-Podcast: Soll man die AfD blockieren? Das Bündnis Widersetzen mobilisiert nach Erfurt, um den AfD-Bundesparteitag zu verhindern. Eine gute Idee? Und was muss sich in der Antifa verbessern? mehr...
taz.de · about 2 hours ago
Jurist über den AfD-Parteitag: „Wir stehen vor einem möglichen Wendepunkt Bei den Protesten gegen den AfD-Parteitag in Erfurt trifft die taz Maximilian Steinbeis, Jurist und Gründer des Verfassungsblogs. Sind die Blockaden legitim? mehr...
taz.de · about 2 hours ago
Congresso Afd tra blocchi e proteste, Weidel: Noi il partito del popolo, non ci fermerete Rieletti i due leader del partito di ultradestra, riunito nello stesso posto dove nel 1926 nacque la Gioventù hitleriana e il Fuehrer si fece immortalare per la prima volta col braccio teso. Proteste e oltre migliaia di poliziotti
corriere · about 2 hours ago
„Verpisst Euch! – Drei Reporter in Erfurt „gejagt und zusammengeschlagen Bei einem Anti-AfD-Protest wurden drei Journalisten des Online-Portals „Apollo News nach eigenen Angaben von Demonstranten „gejagt. Die Polizei bestätigte einen Vorfall, ohne das Medium zu nennen.
welt.de · about 2 hours ago
Star-Wars-Musik auf AfD-Parteitag sorgt für Irritationen – Bundespolizei meldet Festnahmen Die geplanten Blockaden des AfD-Parteitags sind gescheitert. Alice Weidel und Tino Chrupalla bleiben an der Spitze der AfD. In der zweiten Reihe gibt es bemerkenswerte Entscheidungen – und plötzlich ist Star-Wars-Musik zu hören. Alle Entwicklungen im Live-Ticker.
welt.de · about 2 hours ago
Erfurt am Samstag: Mehr als 30.000 Menschen protestieren gegen AfD-Parteitag
die zeit · about 2 hours ago
AfD-Parteitag in Erfurt: Bündnis spricht von 50.000 Protestierenden in und um Erfurt Zehntausende haben sich zum Protest gegen den AfD-Parteitag in Thüringens Landeshauptstadt versammelt. In der Halle ertönen immer wieder Störgeräusche. Das Liveblog
die zeit · about 2 hours ago
Med kongresom Alternative za Nemčijo množični protesti. Na čelu stranke ostajajo isti obrazi. V Erfurtu poteka kongres skrajno desne stranke Alternativa za Nemčijo (AfD), na katerem so delegati potrdili novo-staro vodstvo. V mestu se je že zjutraj zbralo več tisoč protestnikov, ki so z zaporo cest skušali udeležencem preprečiti prihod v dvorano.
rtv slovenia · about 2 hours ago
„Dieses friedliche Demonstrieren lassen wir uns nicht nehmen Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Grüne) spricht über die Proteste gegen den AfD-Parteitag in Erfurt, die Bedeutung friedlicher Demonstrationen und ein mögliches AfD-Verbotsverfahren. „Wir müssen unsere Demokratie verteidigen.
welt.de · about 2 hours ago
25 mil manifestantes protestam contra congresso da AfD na Alemanha O congresso do partido de extrema-direita Alternativa para a Alemanha (AfD) vai, contudo, realizar-se. Não há registo de incidentes graves.
publico · about 2 hours ago
Störaktion am AfD-Parteitag: "Imperial March" aus Star Wars dröhnt aus versteckten Lautsprechern Eine längere Suchaktion musste die rechte deutsche Fraktion auf ihrem Parteitag in Erfurt absolvieren. Ein Störer hatte erfolgreich einen Lautsprecher versteckt
der standard · about 2 hours ago
Germanys far-right AfD renews leadership duo ahead of key state votes
news.yahoo.com · about 2 hours ago
+++ AfD-Parteitag und Gegenprotest +++: Riesenprotest gegen AfD-Parteitag Trotz Blockaden kann der Bundesparteitag der AfD in Erfurt beginnen. Während drinnen populistisch gepöbelt wird, protestieren draußen mehrere Zehntausend Menschen. mehr...
taz.de · about 2 hours ago
Erfurt: AfD-Parteitag: Chrupalla und Weidel als Parteichefs wiedergewählt Tino Chrupalla wird mit 70 Prozent im Amt bestätigt, Alice Weidel mit mehr als 80 Prozent. Tausende Menschen demonstrieren in Erfurt gegen den Bundesparteitag der AfD. Aktivisten blockierten die Autobahn.
sueddeutsche · about 2 hours ago
Unos 31.000 manifestantes protestan contra el congreso ultraderechista de AfD en Alemania A pesar de los intentos de bloqueo a las vías de acceso, los participantes no lograron impedir la llegada de los 600 delegados de la formación ultra Björn Höcke, el líder más radical de AfD que mueve los hilos de la ultraderecha en Alemania Unos 31.000 manifestantes protestan este sábado en la ciudad alemana de Erfurt, en el estado federado de Turingia, al este del país, contra el congreso del partido ultraderechista Alternativa para Alemania (AfD) con sentadas, bloqueos a las vías de acceso e incluso ocho activistas atados a las vías del tranvía, aunque no lograron impedir la llegada de los 600 delegados de la formación ultra y la celebración de su acto. De momento, pese a algunas intervenciones con porras y gas pimienta, la Policía no ha informado de disturbios o detenciones de manifestantes –convocados por la alianza Widersetzen (Desobedecer), los sindicatos y los partidos La Izquierda, Los Verdes y otros grupos. A diferencia del congreso celebrado en 2024 en Essen, en el oeste de Alemania, donde las protestas provocaron el retraso del inicio de la reunión de delegados de AfD, en esta ocasión los miembros del partido ultraderechista pudieron llegar a la feria sin grandes obstáculos, ha señalado la Policía. La estrategia de numerosos de los delegados fue llegar al recinto ferial de Erfurt varias horas antes del comienzo oficial del congreso a las 10.00 hora local (08.00 GMT), dado que las protestas estaban anunciadas para primerísima hora de la mañana, incluso para las 05.30 hora local (03.30 GMT). La Policía de Turingia se había preparado para la participación de entre 35.000 y 50.000 manifestantes en las protestas y había advertido internamente de la eventual presencia de hasta 2.500 manifestantes. El colíder de AfD, Tino Chrupalla, que opta a la reelección junto a Alice Weidel, ha abierto el congreso mofándose de los antifa (antifascistas) al afirmar que así son las cosas cuando uno está acostumbrado a dormir hasta tarde mientras los ciudadanos trabajadores se levantan cada día para ir a trabajar. Esperamos que la jornada continúe siendo pacífica, para que podamos enviar desde aquí una señal para Alemania y demostrar que hoy comienza el tiempo de Alemania con la Alternativa para Alemania, ha dicho. Denuncia contra cordón sanitario y confianza en éxito Chrupalla ha denunciado, de nuevo, el cordón sanitario que el resto de partidos alemanes aplica a AfD, al sostener que, tras convertirse hace dos años en la primera fuerza con el 32,8 de los votos en Turingia, donde dirige el partido Björn Höcke, del ala más radical de la fuerza, deberíamos estar gobernando. Ha recordado que en otoño habrá elecciones en el este de Alemania: en Sajonia-Anhalt y Mecklemburgo-Antepomerania, donde lidera las encuestas de intención de voto con el 41 y el 35 , respectivamente; y en la capital, Berlín, donde lograría el 18 , por detrás de La Izquierda y Los Verdes, según Infratest dimap. Weidel también ha denunciado el veto de los demás partidos a la que fue segunda fuerza en las elecciones generales de 2025 y que actualmente lidera todas encuestas de intención de voto a nivel nacional. La política ultraderechista ha arremetido sobre todo contra la conservadora Unión Cristianodemócrata (CDU), a la que ha acusado de hacer política contra los alemanes y ha sostenido que el partido logra arañar cada vez más votantes a los conservadores, por lo que ha proclamado de nuevo a AfD el nuevo partido popular de Alemania. Nuestra lucha política ha dado frutos hasta ahora, y esa perseverancia nos caracteriza a todos. Necesitamos resistencia y paciencia, tanto como dirigentes del partido, delegados o militantes. Seguiremos firmes: firmes en nuestros valores, firmes por nuestro país, firmes por Alemania, ha cerrado.
eldiario.es · about 2 hours ago
Erfurt am Samstag: Meist bunt und friedlich: Tausendfacher Protest gegen AfD Trotz Sitzblockaden hat der AfD-Parteitag in Erfurt pünktlich begonnen. Tausende Menschen beteiligen sich an Protesten gegen die AfD. „Man kann bisher zufrieden sein, so Thüringens Innenminister.
handelsblatt · about 2 hours ago
Germania. Zeci de mii de manifestanţi s-au adunat la Erfurt, pentru a împiedica desfăşurarea congresului partidului AfD Mii de manifestanţi antifascişti s-au adunat sâmbătă la Erfurt, în estul Germaniei, blocând principalele artere rutiere şi perturbând transportul public, cu scopul de a determina anularea congresului anual al partidului de extremă dreapta AfD.
digi24 · about 2 hours ago
Thousands of protesters in Germany rally against far-right AfD The demonstrations did not stop the partys annual congress in Erfurt from starting on time.
politico.eu · about 2 hours ago
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) partys annual congress started today in the city of Erfurt with thousands of protesters gathered against the rising German far-right movement.
bluesky_Politico Europe · about 2 hours ago
Cerca de 25.000 manifestantes contra congresso da AfD Até ao momento, apesar de algumas intervenções policiais com bastões e gás pimenta, as autoridades não deram conta de detenções entre os manifestantes
observador · about 2 hours ago
Mii de protestatari ignoră interdicțiile poliției și încearcă să împiedice conferința anuală a AfD de la Erfurt În ciuda interdicţiilor poliţiei, mii de germani au ieşit sâmbătă în stradă la Erfurt, oraşul din est unde partidul de extremă dreapta AfD (Alternativa pentru Germania) are programată timp de două zile conferinţa anuală, relatează Reuters şi DPA, citate de Agerpres. Forţele de ordine au anunţat că demonstraţiile rămân interzise pe mai multe căi de …
hotnews.ro · about 2 hours ago
ERFURT: Zehntausende protestieren in Erfurt gegen AfD-Parteitag Demonstranten wollen den zweitägigen Parteitag stören und Zufahrten blockieren. Auf dem Treffen sollen Weidel und Chrupalla wiedergewählt werden.
faz · about 2 hours ago
Activists protesting new data centre in eastern Switzerland relocate base camp A day after a protest camp against the construction of an AI data centre in Beringen, Schaffhausen, was cleared, activists have set up camp in nearby Germany. They now intend to protest from Tengen, which is situated near the Swiss border. Following yesterdays police raid on the protest camp in Benken, canton Zurich, activists who are denouncing the construction of an AI data centre in Beringen have found a new base across the border in Tengen, Germany, the group Aufstände der Allmende (Uprising of the Commons) announced on Saturday afternoon. The growing movement against data centres and Big Tech cannot be stopped by attempts at intimidation, the activists added. Just as tech oligarchs organise themselves internationally, the resistance must also be internationally networked, they said. Protest against tech corporations On Friday, the camp in Benken was cleared by the Zurich cantonal police. The activists had intended their action there – originally planned to last a week – to ...
swissinfo · about 2 hours ago
Thousands protest in Germany as far-right AfD party meets Protesters from unions, civil society and left-wing parties aim to disrupt AfD annual conference in Erfurt.
aljazeera · about 2 hours ago
20,000 protest against AfD party conference in Germany Thüringen police described the protest as "legitimate" but said an AfD constituency office and police officers had been attacked with paint bombs and fireworks.
euronews · about 2 hours ago