Massive protests held across the country to counter right-wing movements before the European polls.

Massive protests held across the country to counter right-wing movements before the European polls.

In Berlin's Victory Column, a rally took place among about 15,000 individuals, as per a police spokesperson. However, according to Campact, around 30,000 people showed up. Similar events were also held in Frankfurt am Main with 36,000 participants, Munich with around 25,000, Leipzig with 15,000, and Dresden with 8,000.

A diverse coalition of civil society organizations, including the German Trade Union Confederation, Evangelical Church in Germany, Parity Organization, Greenpeace, and World Wildlife Fund, called on people to participate, under the slogan "Stop right-wing extremism - defend democracy." The day before, on Friday, a rally took place in Hamburg - it had around 26,000 participants, as per the police.

This weekend, Germany will hold its European Parliament elections. An estimated 65 million people can vote in these elections. Interestingly, for the first time, individuals aged 16 and 17 will also be eligible to participate, as per the Federal Statistical Office, which means nearly 1.4 million people will now be able to take part. Similar elections will be held across other 26 EU countries, where a total of approximately 350 million people can vote. The outcome in Germany may serve as a gauge for the parties in the nation.

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1. These mass protests against right-wing extremism continue to gain momentum, with events scheduled in Leipzig and Dresden on Sunday.
2. The police in Munich are preparing for tens of thousands of protesters, aiming to counteract the rise of extreme right-wing movements before the European elections.
3. German civil society organizations, including Campact based in Berlin, have been instrumental in mobilizing support for these demonstrations, as a means to protect democracy and uphold its values.
4. In fact, the European Parliament elections in Germany have become a critical battleground for preserving democracy, with tens of thousands of voters expected to cast their ballots in favor of pro-democracy parties.
5. Lastly, it's worth noting that this upcoming election will also feature an unprecedented number of eligible voters, as 16 and 17-year-olds are now included for the first time, thanks to the Federal Statistical Office's recent changes.
6. As Germany prepares to lead the way in this democratic showdown, similar events are unfolding across Europe, including elections in Frankfurt am Main, where crowds of 36,000 are expected to gather.
7. The results of these European elections, culminating in the selection of new members for the European Parliament, will be a bellwether for democracy and the fight against right-wing extremism throughout the continent.

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