Controversial AfD National Convention Amid Mass Protests

The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) held its national convention in Erfurt, Germany, on Saturday. Delegates overwhelmingly reelected Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as party leaders, despite thousands of protesters attempting to disrupt the meeting.

Weidel and Chrupalla have led AfD as co-leaders for four years. Weidel’s reelection saw her gaining 81% of the votes, while Chrupalla secured 70%. Party leadership elections in Germany occur every two years.

The protests outside the convention hall in Erfurt highlight how AfD has stirred division in Germany, even as it stands as the largest opposition party nationally and the strongest political force in the former communist eastern regions. Despite the protests, the party convention began on time. Party officials praised their legal right to hold party conventions.

Chrupalla criticized the protesters, asserting, “There are no peaceful sit-ins, no democratic roadblocks. These troublemakers are a last resort for our political opponents.” The convention coincided with the centenary of a pivotal Nazi Party meeting, leading to accusations of historical symbolism, which AfD dismisses.

AfD recently secured second place in the 2025 national elections, earning 20.8% of votes, the highest result for a far-right party since World War II. Their support has continued to grow, placing them at the top of the political charts in Germany.

Despite rising support, calls to ban the party persist. German Supreme Court has set high standards for prohibiting political parties. Weidel remarked that 2026 could be pivotal for AfD, but traditional parties maintain a strict firewall against cooperating with far-right entities.

An estimated 31,000 people participated in protests against AfD. Attendees carried signs like “Stop AfD Nazis” and “For Diversity, Against Nazis.”

Lena Raupach, spokesperson for widersetzen, an antifascism alliance, intended to block the convention. She stated, “AfD advocates for fascist policies: mass deportations and street terror. We seek a society where everyone has equal opportunities and security.”

Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified AfD as an extremist right-wing group but paused action following a legal challenge. A Cologne court ruled the agency cannot use the designation while evaluating the party’s lawsuit.

AfD vehemently denies extremist accusations, claiming political misuse by traditional parties. They leverage dissatisfaction with the government’s slow economic reform efforts.

In the upcoming September election in Saxony-Anhalt, eastern Germany, AfD aims to capture 40% or more of votes, seeking absolute majority or luring members from other parties for potential statewide governance.

Chrupalla noted, “Victory might soon allow sole governance; this will send a clear message to democracy’s adversaries attempting to obstruct our party convention.”

AfD supports lifting sanctions on Russia and opposes Trump’s administration’s wars, while backing Trump’s overall policies.

Björn Höcke, regional party leader, repeatedly stated AfD’s ambition to “make Germany great again,” referencing Trump’s MAGA slogan.

Associated Press journalists Stefanie Dazio and Philipp Reissfelder contributed from Berlin.