Thousands gathered in Riesa, Germany, to protest against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s convention on Saturday. This demonstration caused road blockages and delayed the start of the meeting as various political factions began their campaigns ahead of the upcoming election next month.
In the eastern Saxony region, which is a stronghold for the AfD, a significant police presence was visible. Authorities worked to remove some protesters from the streets, but despite these efforts, the two-day convention was delayed by over two hours due to the road blockages affecting delegates’ arrivals.
During the event, AfD nominated Alice Weidel, its co-leader, as its candidate for chancellor in an acclamation vote. Weidel, one of those hindered by the protests, expressed her gratitude to the delegates for their commitment in “standing up to the left-wing mob and making it here.”
Recent polls indicate that the AfD stands in second place with approximately 20% support ahead of the February 23 election. However, Weidel, who had engaged in a live discussion with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk on his X platform, faces significant challenges in her pursuit of leadership as other political parties refuse to collaborate with the AfD.
The mainstream conservative Union bloc remains at the forefront of the polls with around 30% support, and Friedrich Merz is currently considered the frontrunner for chancellor. The Union aims to prioritize revitalizing Germany’s stagnant economy and addressing irregular migration concerns. In a fierce rebuttal, Weidel labeled the Union a “party of fraudsters,” redoubling her appeal to voters to “support the original” and bolster her party’s position.
Weidel advocated for stringent measures, such as closing borders to undocumented migrants and implementing widespread deportations for asylum seekers. She openly endorsed the contentious notion of “remigration.” Additionally, she promised to return to operations of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which had been damaged in 2022, shortly after Russia halted gas supplies to Germany. Her declaration that the AfD would dismantle all wind turbines, denouncing them as “windmills of shame,” garnered considerable applause from her supporters.
In a separate press conference in Hamburg, Merz centered his message on the need for “fundamental change” following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s beleaguered coalition government. He outlined his vision of a new government focused on stability, reliable laws, and fostering a welcoming environment for both domestic and foreign investors to stimulate growth.
Scholz, seeking to counter with a potential comeback, now faces a considerable challenge, as polls show his Social Democrats receiving around 14-17% support. The government he led fell apart in November after he dismissed his finance minister amid disagreements on economic revitalization, resulting in the call for early elections.
During a party convention in Berlin, Scholz admitted that the coalition had made mistakes and suggested that perhaps an earlier dissolution would have been beneficial. However, he urged his supporters to look forward and stay determined. “Let’s fight,” he declared at the event where he was formally confirmed as the party’s candidate.
Criticizing the Union, Scholz claimed they lack viable solutions for Germany’s issues and accused Merz’s faction of making “expensive promises for the absolute top earners,” which he warned would lead to significant fiscal deficits. He reinforced his commitment to maintaining a stable and prudential approach in foreign affairs, particularly regarding support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia, while remaining cautious about supplying advanced weapons.
Additionally, Scholz addressed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments concerning territorial ambitions, asserting the vital importance of respecting national borders regardless of a state’s size or power. Merz countered, insisting that “public finger-pointing from Germany has never made an impression in America” and typically results in counterproductive outcomes.
