Tens of thousands protest as AfD party conference opens in Erfurt with blockades and security alerts

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Tens of thousands protest as AfD party conference opens in Erfurt with blockades and security alerts
Tens of thousands to protest as police brace for AfD party conference in Erfurt
ContinuationFive German states block protests ahead of AfD party congress in Erfurt
Tens of thousands of protesters have already occupied central squares and blocked key roads in Erfurt as the Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) federal party conference opened on Saturday morning, with police reporting at least seven major blockades and 540 of the 600 registered delegates already arrived. Authorities confirmed that demonstrators from the “Widersetzen” alliance had established sit-down blockades on multiple routes into the city, including an Autobahn section near Erfurt, while police escorted AfD buses through the remaining open corridors.
The Thüringer court’s decision to lift a blanket protest ban on Friday night cleared the way for the mass demonstrations, which organizers said would draw up to 50,000 people. Police in Erfurt reported 69 offenses before the conference began and warned they were preparing for violent clashes with left-wing extremists amid the largest mobilization in the state’s recent history.
Inside the Messe halls, AfD delegates gathered for a leadership vote widely seen as a formality for co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, but behind the scenes the party is locked in a bitter power struggle. Ten functionaries told reporters that the Höcke faction, which seeks greater influence, has been pressuring regional boards and threatening defections if its demands are not met.
The Bundeswehr issued special guidance to its personnel in and around Erfurt, advising soldiers to avoid uniforms, official vehicles and crowded areas to reduce the risk of attacks during the weekend’s protests. Meanwhile, the AfD’s opponents have gone door-to-door across the city asking residents whether they support the party, a campaign that has drawn both curiosity and hostility.
Police confirmed that seven blockades were already in place by mid-morning, with activists occupying central squares and a major highway interchange. Authorities stressed that while demonstrations are permitted, any illegal obstruction of the AfD event would be met with immediate intervention. The conference is scheduled to continue through Sunday, with security forces on high alert for further escalation.
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