Police-Protester Confrontation at AfD Conference in Erfurt

On 4 July 2026, riot police and demonstrators clashed in Erfurt as the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) opened its biennial national conference. About 20,000 protesters gathered to block roads and hinder 600 party delegates. Police deployed thousands of officers; footage shows batons used on protesters. Demonstrators abseiled from a motorway bridge, glued themselves to tram tracks, and staged sit-in blockades. Police recorded under 100 offences.

The Guardian

The conference coincided with the centennial of a 1926 Nazi Party meeting in nearby Weimar, which historians and opponents call provocative. AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla called 2026 a “year of destiny.” The party aims for at least 40 % of the vote in the 6 September 2026 Saxony-Anhalt state election, which could give an absolute majority and its first state governor.

Wimbledon Times

AfD co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla led the congress. Protest actions were organized by the “Resistance,” “Standing Together,” and “Grandmas Against the Right” alliances. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and Thuringia Interior Minister Georg Maier joined a parallel march. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution had classified AfD as a right-wing extremist group, a designation now suspended pending court review.

Wimbledon Times

AfD spokesperson confirmed 540 delegates attended and the congress began as planned. Chrupalla accused demonstrators of opposing “democratic decision-making” and called the conference a “guaranteed right.” Weidel called 2026 a “year of destiny” for the party. Police described the protest as “mostly peaceful,” and mainstream parties upheld a firewall, refusing any coalition with the AfD. Protesters called the party anti-democratic and warned against a repeat of the Nazi era.

The Guardian

Protesters condemned the AfD as anti-democratic, invoked the Nazi era, and renewed calls to ban the party, referencing the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s prior extremist classification.

Wimbledon Times

Demonstrators glued themselves to tram tracks and abseiled from a motorway bridge to block delegate movement. Police footage shows officers wielding batons against protesters. Police statements emphasized a “mostly peaceful” protest, yet video records baton use. Reported offences are under 100. Delegate numbers differ: the party cites 540 arrivals, while estimates place total delegates near 600.

The Guardian

• “It’s important to send a signal against the shift to the right,” — Lene Krug, 19, demonstrator, Gera

The Guardian

• “1933 to 1945 must never happen again,” — Unnamed protester on tram tracks

The Guardian

• “They believe they have a monopoly on democracy. To these demonstrators I say: this democracy is just as much our democracy as it is yours.” — Tino Chrupalla, AfD co-leader

The Guardian

• “2026 is a year of destiny for AfD.” — Alice Weidel, AfD co-leader

Far-right Alternative for Germany party elects leaders as protesters and police clash

The 6 September 2026 Saxony-Anhalt election will test AfD’s electoral strategy. Legal proceedings over the party’s extremist classification continue, and further demonstrations are expected as the vote approaches.

Wimbledon Times