**Thousands Protest in Germany as Far-Right AfD Party Holds Annual Conference**
*Erfurt, Germany – July 4, 2026* – Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Erfurt, Thuringia, on Saturday to protest against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as it held its annual conference ahead of upcoming regional elections. An estimated 20,000 people participated in the protests, according to local police reports.
The protests were organized by a coalition of unions, civil society groups, and left-wing political parties, who expressed their opposition to the AfD's policies and ideology. Demonstrators blocked major roads leading into the city, with some protesters even abseiling from a motorway bridge to disrupt access. Sit-in blockades were also staged in various locations throughout the city center.
Georg Becker, a spokesperson for the anti-AfD umbrella group Widersetzen (“Resist”), articulated the sentiments of many protesters, stating, “We want to make it clear that we simply won’t tolerate this, that fascism is on the rise here in Germany.” The protests were marked by a significant police presence, with reinforcements deployed from across the country. Authorities reported that more than 200 buses transported protesters to Erfurt for the demonstration.
Despite the scale of the protests, the AfD's conference commenced on schedule, with many delegates managing to reach the venue. The party has recently gained traction in German politics, becoming the second-largest party in the last elections, marking the best performance for a far-right party in Germany since World War II. Current opinion polls indicate that the AfD is leading over the conservative party led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, fueled in part by ongoing economic challenges in the country.
While the AfD has seen a rise in support, it remains a controversial entity in German politics. All mainstream political parties have explicitly ruled out any collaboration with the AfD, citing its “anti-democratic” and “extremist” views. The party has been under surveillance by Germany's domestic intelligence agency for several years due to suspicions of anti-constitutional activities.
Protesters in Erfurt voiced their demands for the AfD to be banned, with Noa Sander, another spokesperson for the Resist protest alliance, declaring, “The AfD wants mass deportations and ethnic cleansing,” referring to the party's controversial stance on immigration and its so-called “remigration” policies. Sander emphasized the intent of the protest movement, stating, “We intend to do this by blockading their party conference and standing in the way of the AfD, its policies and members wherever they appear, making sure they have no place in society.”
The protests reflect a growing concern among many Germans regarding the rise of far-right ideologies and the potential implications for the country’s social fabric and democratic principles. As the AfD continues to gain momentum, the political landscape in Germany remains tense, with both supporters and opponents of the party mobilizing in significant numbers.
The situation in Erfurt underscores the deep divisions within German society as the nation grapples with issues of identity, immigration, and the future of its democratic institutions.