The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party held its national congress in Erfurt on July 4 and 5, 2026 [1].
The event serves as a critical coordination point for the party as it prepares for upcoming state elections in eastern Germany. By focusing on internal personnel elections and party discipline, the AfD aims to present a unified front to voters in the eastern Länder.
Björn Höcke, a leading figure within the party, addressed the gathering at the Messe Erfurt. During his speech, Höcke said, "Wir sind auf Erfolgskurs, wir sind auf der Siegerstraße der Geschichte unterwegs."
Outside the venue, organized opposition groups mobilized to demonstrate against the party's growth. These protesters included the Bündnis „Widersetzen“, and the trade union Verdi NRW. The groups gathered to signal their opposition to the AfD potentially gaining governmental responsibility.
To support the mobilization, Verdi NRW provided financial assistance to its members. The union offered to reimburse the costs of bus trips for members traveling to the anti-AfD demonstrations in Erfurt [2].
A spokesperson for Verdi said, "Wir wollen ein Zeichen der Demokratie setzen und die AfD nicht schweigen lassen."
While some reports suggested that left-wing factions had abandoned attempts to blockade the party congress, other sources indicated that protests remained planned throughout the event. The congress concluded after two days of internal voting and strategic planning.
“"Wir sind auf Erfolgskurs, wir sind auf der Siegerstraße der Geschichte unterwegs"”
The juxtaposition of the AfD's internal consolidation and the organized protests reflects the deep political polarization currently affecting Germany. As the party focuses on personnel and discipline to maximize its performance in eastern state elections, the involvement of labor unions like Verdi in funding protests indicates that opposition to the party has moved beyond grassroots activism into institutionalized political resistance.
