Mass protests erupt in Germany as AfD eyes breakthrough in eastern states

Protesters blocked several routes to the conference venue while being watched by police in riot gear. Large numbers of police, including reinforcements from across Germany, were deployed to contain the protests.The demonstrations came as the AfD held its two-day annual conference, with the party leading opinion polls nationally and hoping to make further gains in elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The results could give the party a chance to take power at state level for the first time. The party is seeking an outright victory there. They argue that the party could threaten the country's constitutional order.Mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD under a so-called "firewall" strategy aimed at keeping it out of coalition governments.AfD leaders reject claims that the party opposes Germany's democratic foundations.

Source: Times of India September 13, 2026 02:14 UTC