Fifteen Thousand Protest AfD Convention in Erfurt

The massive turnout brought together a coalition of unions, civil society organizations, and left-wing parties determined to disrupt the AfD’s annual conference. Police maintained a heavy presence as protesters effectively bottlenecked the routes leading to the site, signaling the intensity of local opposition to the party’s platform.

Formed just over a decade ago, the AfD has surged in opinion polls, currently outpacing the conservative coalition led by Friedrich Merz. While critics and political rivals frequently accuse the party of fostering racism and threatening democratic norms, the AfD retains significant support, particularly across eastern Germany. This gathering served as a physical manifestation of the deepening friction between the party’s growing electoral base and those organizing to halt its ascent.