Over 100,000 individuals rallied across Germany on Saturday, denouncing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Outrage was sparked by revelations that party members had engaged in discussions about mass deportation plans during a meeting with extremists.
In the financial heart of Germany, Frankfurt witnessed a significant gathering of approximately 35,000 people responding to the call “Defend Democracy – Frankfurt against the AfD.” Simultaneously, a similar number, some brandishing posters with slogans like “Nazis out,” gathered in the northern city of Hanover.
Protests echoed in various cities, including Braunschweig, Erfurt, and Kassel, along with numerous smaller towns, reflecting a nationwide mobilization observed throughout the week. Demonstrations were scheduled in approximately 100 locations across Germany, spanning from Friday through the weekend, culminating in Berlin on Sunday.
The call to action extended beyond political circles, with churches and Bundesliga coaches also urging people to stand up against the AfD.
The wave of public mobilization against the far-right party gained momentum after an investigative report by Correctiv on January 10. The report exposed AfD members discussing the expulsion of immigrants and “non-assimilated citizens” during a meeting with extremists. Among the participants was Martin Sellner, a leader of Austria’s Identitarian Movement, which propagates the “great replacement” conspiracy theory.
News of the gathering sent shockwaves through Germany, particularly as the AfD is experiencing a surge in opinion polls, just months before three major regional elections in eastern Germany, where their support is strongest.
While the anti-immigration party confirmed its members’ presence at the meeting, it denied endorsing Sellner’s “remigration” project. Political leaders, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have strongly condemned any plan to expel immigrants or citizens, describing it as an “attack against our democracy.”
Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition conservatives CDU party, expressed encouragement at the peaceful demonstrations against right-wing extremism, emphasizing the need for cohesion, tolerance, and a democratic Germany.
Amidst the controversy surrounding the Potsdam meeting, it was revealed that two members of the hard-right faction Werteunion of the CDU were also in attendance. In response, Hans-Georg Maassen, the leader of Werteunion, announced on Saturday the group’s decision to split from the CDU. The faction claims around 4,000 members, many of whom were initially affiliated with the CDU or its Bavarian sister party CSU.
