Thousands Protest AfD Convention in Erfurt

Around 15,000 opponents of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party demonstrated in Erfurt, Germany, on Saturday, blocking roads leading to the venue of the party's two-day convention. The rallies took place ahead of regional elections in which the AfD could take power at the state level for the first time.

Trade unions, civic organizations and left-wing parties took part in the protests, which were secured by numerous police units reinforced by officers from across Germany. Demonstrators set up roadblocks on highways and roads leading to the convention center.

"We want to make it clear that we simply won't tolerate this, that fascism is on the rise here in Germany", said Georg Becker, a spokesperson for the "Widersetzen" (Resist) initiative.

Co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tina Chrupalla are expected to be re-elected at the convention. The party is entering the campaign ahead of elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where it hopes to build on its growing support.

According to polls, the AfD stands at up to 29%, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU bloc is at around 22%. In Saxony-Anhalt, polls put the AfD at 41%, compared with 23% for the Christian Democrats. Traditional political parties continue to refuse to cooperate with the AfD as part of a strategy to isolate it, while the party's leadership rejects accusations that it threatens the democratic order.

(Reuters, bak)