《CVRHK》［International news］Mass Protests Erupt in Erfurt as Far‑Right AfD Holds Party Congress
［5 July 2026］
Mass Protests Erupt in Erfurt as Far‑Right AfD Holds Party Congress
A major political showdown unfolded in the German city of Erfurt as the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) convened its party congress over the weekend, drawing an estimated 30,000 protesters who blocked roads, disrupted public transport and clashed with police. The gathering, intended to reaffirm the party’s leadership and outline its ambitions for national influence, quickly became the focal point of nationwide debate over the rise of right‑wing populism.
Crowds began assembling early in the day, with demonstrators occupying key streets leading to the congress venue. Many wore reflective vests and sat on tram tracks to halt services, aiming to prevent AfD delegates from reaching the meeting. The protest was organised by trade unions, civil society groups and left‑wing organisations, who urged the public to mobilise against what they describe as the growing normalisation of extremist politics.
Police deployed roughly 15,000 officers to manage the situation. While the march initially remained peaceful, tensions escalated when some protesters attempted to breach police barricades. Officers formed human chains and used police vehicles to reinforce blockades as pushing and shoving broke out. The standoff lasted for hours, underscoring the deep political divisions currently shaping German society.
Inside the congress hall, AfD leaders projected confidence. Co‑chairs Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel were re‑elected with strong support, using their victory speeches to criticise Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government and to double down on the party’s anti‑immigration stance. Weidel accused the administration of failing to deliver promised reforms, insisting that “illegal migrants and criminals have no place in Germany” and pledging swift deportations. Chrupalla declared that AfD was “becoming part of the mainstream” and vowed to expand the party’s influence from regional strongholds to national governance.
Recent polling places AfD at 29 percent support nationwide, seven points ahead of Merz’s governing party. The party’s strongest backing remains in eastern Germany, where it is expected to perform strongly in September’s regional elections. While polls are not election results, the trend has intensified public concern and contributed to the scale of the demonstrations seen in Erfurt.
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