Tens of thousands of protestors gathered in Germany on Saturday to rally against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD has been accused of threatening democracy, just one month before the legislative elections.
The largest protests took place in Berlin and Cologne, with approximately 35,000 and 20,000 demonstrators respectively, according to police. Organisers estimated that 100,000 people were present in the German capital, according to Belga New Agency. The turnout exceeded expectations: police initially forecast 5,000 attendees in Cologne and 10,000 in Berlin.
In front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, protestors created a "sea of light for democracy" with their mobile phones, spelling out the word 'Resistance', AFP journalists observed.
Multiple organisations called for these rallies in around 60 cities, four weeks ahead of the German elections on 23 February. The AfD currently holds second place in polls with 20% of intended votes, behind the conservative CDU/CSU with around 30%.
'Not an alternative'
Under the slogan 'We build barriers!', protestors marched peacefully. They carried signs that read 'Nazis out' and 'AfD is not an alternative' (referring to the party's name 'Alternative for Germany').
Some slogans also targeted CDU leader Friedrich Merz – a favourite for the chancellorship – who advocates a radical crackdown on migration policy. Concerns were raised that he might break the cordon sanitaire of German political parties refusing any alliance with the AfD.
A protest also took place in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria. Earlier this week, a deadly knife attack attributed to an undocumented Afghan national reignited the immigration debate.
US tech giant Elon Musk is seen on a large screen as Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, addresses an election campaign rally in Halle, Eastern Germany on 25 January 2025. Credit: Belga / AFP
Thousands also turned out in Halle in Eastern Germany, where AfD co-leader Alice Weidel held an election rally, Belga News Agency reports.
Tech giant and billionaire Elon Musk tuned in to the rally via video conference and reiterated his support for the AfD, which he believes embodies "the best hope for Germany."
"It's ok to be proud to be German. Fight for a bright future for Germany," declared the world's richest man in front of some 4,500 supporters, according to the AfD.
His words come in the midst of controversy following his salute at Donald Trump's inauguration, which some interpreted as a Nazi gesture.
