Multiple aggressive protestors foreseen at AfD party assembly in Essen.
Law enforcement anticipates potential protests, attempts to break through, or disruptions during the arrival of delegates for the Political Party congress. Over a hundred violent protestors, whom the authorities have prepared for, have undergone specialized training in advance to prevent disturbances at the congress. The authorities will actively and readily counter any threats, according to Köbbel.
On social media in recent weeks, there have been multiple calls to disrupt the Political Party congress, including on the extreme left-leaning online platform Indymedia.
The Political Party congress is set to take place at the Grugahalle on the Essen Trade Fair Ground on both Saturday and Sunday. Protests are expected as early as Friday. So far, according to the police, 18 demonstrations have been reported, with tens of thousands of participants expected. Köbbel stated that the situation is "evolving." The number of demonstrations could still increase.
Regarding the demonstrations, the police assume a generally peaceful course. There is no evidence that these events will become chaotic, said Köbbel. He expressed hope that peaceful protesters will keep their distance from lawbreakers. "This makes our job much easier," said Köbbel.
Köbbel denied rumors that the police would be overwhelmed due to simultaneous deployments during football matches at the European Championship over the weekend. "Anyone who thinks we wouldn't be able to handle this deployment situation because there aren't enough police officers is mistaken," said Köbbel. Over a thousand police officers will be in Essen on duty. Köbbel did not disclose the exact number. On Saturday and Sunday, EM games will be played in Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen.
Essen Police President Andreas Stüve expects a "demanding deployment," which in scale surpasses the deployment situations of previous years "significantly." Stüve emphasized that the police's mission is to ensure the overall safety of all people. This includes, for example, delegates of the Political Party congress, protesters, and residents.
Approximately 600 delegates from the Political Party are expected, in addition to 600 guests and media representatives. According to Stüve, there will be noticeable restrictions for some residents in the vicinity of the Political Party congress weekend. In particular, control and checkpoints will be set up around the Trade Fair Ground, where ID checks will also take place. Thousands of residents will be affected.
In the lead-up to the Federal Party Congress, there was a legal dispute over its holding. The Messe Essen announced in early June that it would rent the Grugahalle to the Political Party under bond. The access to the Messehalle was contingent on the party's self-commitment. The party did not agree. The Administrative Court of Gelsenkirchen decided that the Political Party should be allowed to use the Grugahalle for their party congress without conditions.
