Protesters have mobilised against the far-right German party Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is holding a two-day party congress starting on Saturday.
Activists partially blocked a road near the congress venue. Police are present in force, fearing the protests could escalate. Around 10,000 Germans were expected to attend by organisers.
As a result of the blockade, the opening of the congress for the German far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has been delayed.
The conference, scheduled to start at 10:00 on Saturday, was affected as many people could not arrive on time. By the scheduled start time, only a small portion of the 600 delegates were present. An hour and a half later, the congress had still not commenced.
The event is taking place in Riesa, in the eastern state of Saxony, Germany. Demonstrators from across the country have travelled to protest against AfD. Activists have also blocked access roads.
According to the German press agency DPA, even party leader Alice Weidel could not gain entry in time. Her nomination as a candidate for the chancellorship is one of the key items on the congress agenda.
The organisers report that over a hundred buses from around seventy cities are bringing protesters.
The AfD is hosting the congress in Riesa, a city in the eastern state of Saxony, about 130 kilometres south of Berlin. Saxony is considered a stronghold for the far-right party. Anti-AfD protests have been organised in Germany since the start of last year.
Widespread protests against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have been taking place in Germany. Hamburg, January 2024. Credit: Creative Commons
During the congress, the party programme will be finalised, and Alice Weidel will be officially named the candidate for the chancellorship.
Antifascist movements are behind the protests, with Germany seeing frequent mobilisations against far-right meetings.
Initial reports indicate that police have already intervened in several locations.
This story was update with new information at 12:00.
