Planned protests organized by an alliance of activists have begun ahead of the two-day party conference of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which kicks off on Saturday morning in the eastern German town of Riesa in Saxony.
Three of Germany’s main parties will hold rallies on Saturday to boost their programs and candidates ahead of national elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition.
Organizers expect more than 10,000 people to attend demonstrations against the AfD. Participants from about 70 cities will arrive in more than 100 buses, they said.
A “small group” would block the eastbound lane of a nearby highway.
Protesters also planned to block the access roads and entrances to the conference venue where the AfD meeting will be held.
While the situation remained calm in the morning, authorities anticipated the presence of violent demonstrators and established a control zone in the city, some 80 miles (130 kilometers) south of Berlin.
Counter-protesters were led to designated gathering points, police said.
The police operation will be coordinated with a helicopter over the city area, it was reported. The police also use drones and are supported by troops from various states.
The AfD plans to adopt its election manifesto in Riesa and officially nominate party leader Alice Weidel as chancellor candidate.
Saxony is one of the AfD’s strongholds: in the last elections it won 24.6% of the vote there, leaving the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the traditional party of Germany’s conservatives, far behind with 17.2% .
Police officers stop a protest march against the AfD (Alternative for Germany) party conference at the WT Energiesysteme Arena in Riesa. Daniel Wagner/dpa
Demonstrators protest against the national party conference of the AfD (Alternative for Germany), which is about to adopt its election manifesto and nominate co-chair Alice Weidel as chancellor candidate. Jan Woitas/dpa
Police clear a sit-in blockade during a demonstration against the national party conference of the AfD (Alternative for Germany), which aims to adopt its election manifesto and nominate co-chair Alice Weidel as chancellor candidate. Jan Woitas/dpa
Police officers stop a protest march against the AfD (Alternative for Germany) party conference at the WT Energiesysteme Arena in Riesa. Daniel Wagner/dpa
