The local authorities launched an extensive police force on the occasion of the re-election of its two main figures, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, for a new two-year term.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Essen, western Germany, on Saturday. to protest against the convention of extreme right partyAlternative for GermanyAfD, which took place over the weekend in the German city.
The local authorities launched a extensive police force on the occasion of the re-election of its two main figures, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, for a new two-year term.
German media reports that up to 100,000 people were expected at a series of protests and other acts against the AfDduring the weekend.
Early on Saturday morning, a group of protesters They tried to cross a barrier to access the building where the conference was being held, but they were repelled by the Police with pepper spray and batons.
Sit-ins were also organized in streets and intersections near the convention hall, and several AfD politicians they indicated that the police had escorted them to the meeting place.
As the convention began, Alice Weidel told those gathered that “what’s happening out there has no meaning.” nothing to do with democracy“.
Measures by the authorities to prevent the convention from being held
Local authorities had tried to prevent the AfD eventbut they lost the case in court.
The far-right formation was second in the recent elections to the European Parliament in Germany, with 15.9% of the total votes. Recorded notable successdespite a recent series of scandals and setbacks.
The party’s hopes of appearing as favorite in the next elections have been reinforced by especially strong support in the former communist zone of eastern Germany.
