Tens of thousands of individuals across Germany participated in protests on Saturday, with large gatherings occurring in Berlin and other cities, aimed at opposing the increasing influence of the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the upcoming general election on February 23.
At the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, protesters engaged in a lively demonstration, utilizing whistles, singing anti-fascist anthems, and displaying banners that criticized the AfD. Organizers expressed their intent for the rally to also highlight the presence of other far-right groups in Europe as well as the implications of the recent administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Luisa Neubauer, a representative from the Fridays for Future climate movement, addressed the crowd, which police estimates placed at around 35,000 participants. She emphasized the dangers posed by those who promote racism and undermine climate initiatives, stating, “Those who fuel racism and attack climate protection are not just campaigning, they are endangering lives.” Meanwhile, a separate rally in Cologne attracted approximately 40,000 attendees, according to police numbers.
Germany’s political landscape has been tumultuous, especially following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition late last year, triggered by disagreements regarding strategies for economic revitalization amid stagnation.
As the protests unfolded, the AfD was also launching its election campaign in Halle, a central German city, where party leader Alice Weidel delivered a speech to around 4,500 supporters. Notably, Weidel received support from Elon Musk, who made an appearance at the rally through a remote address, a move that has stirred controversy within Germany.
Mainstream political parties are adamantly refusing to collaborate with the AfD. Currently, the opposition center-right Union bloc, with their chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, leads in pre-election polls, closely followed by the far-right party.
Merz has announced that next week, his party will introduce motions aimed at tightening migration policies, a prominent topic in the upcoming election. However, this may provoke criticism, as it could be seen as collaborating with the AfD if these motions pass with their support in Parliament.
In previous statements, Merz has committed to preventing entry to individuals lacking proper documentation and increasing deportations should he become chancellor. His remarks followed a tragic knife attack in Aschaffenburg committed by a rejected asylum seeker, which resulted in the deaths of a man and a two-year-old boy, intensifying the debate around immigration policies in Germany.
