Roughly 20,000 people protested in Erfurt this weekend during the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) national party conference [1], [2].
The scale of the demonstrations highlights the deep societal division in Germany over the AfD's political agenda. These protests aimed to pressure the party leadership ahead of critical internal elections.
The Bundesparteitag served as the venue for the AfD to elect a new party board. Around 600 delegates attended the conference [3], arriving in the city before sunrise to begin the proceedings. Despite the presence of thousands of activists and left-wing groups in the streets, the meeting started on schedule.
Police deployed a significant presence to manage the crowds and maintain order. The demonstrations resulted in several road blockades throughout the city, though authorities worked to keep the conference venue accessible. While most reports indicate a turnout of about 20,000 counter-demonstrators [1], [2], one report cited a figure as high as 50,000 people [4].
The conference focused on the party's future direction and the confirmation of its top leadership. The proceedings took place over Saturday and Sunday, coinciding with the peak of the street protests. Opposition groups organized the events to signal widespread resistance to the party's platform, and its influence on the national political landscape.
Security forces remained on high alert throughout the weekend to prevent clashes between the party delegates and the protesters. The AfD leadership continued their agenda inside the hall while the city of Erfurt became a focal point for political friction.
“Roughly 20,000 people protested in Erfurt this weekend during the AfD national party conference.”
The juxtaposition of a small group of 600 party delegates against a crowd of 20,000 to 50,000 protesters illustrates the AfD's position as a polarizing force in German politics. While the party maintains a structured internal leadership and a dedicated delegate base, the massive scale of the counter-protests reflects a significant mobilization of civil society aimed at delegitimizing the party's platform through public visibility.
