- Multitudes demonstrate against AfD and conservative sympathizers in Erfurt
The wrapping up of Thuringia's AfD election crusade saw throngs of people flood the streets of Erfurt, one day prior to the state vote. Around 1,300 AfD supporters congregated at a gathering on Erfurt's Domplatz, spearheaded by the party's controversial far-right icon and main candidate, Björn Höcke, and the federal chairwoman, Alice Weidel. This was verified by the city's administrators upon request. Approximately 3,000 people then protested, maintaining a distance of about 100 meters from the AfD, expressing their opposition to a right-wing swing and extremism in Thuringia.
A substantial number of police officers were dispatched and reinforced by their counterparts from Hesse, Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. No significant incidents were reported during either gathering.
Höcke: AfD to Create History
Addressing the dissenting voices, who voiced their disapproval with whistles and chants, Weidel indicated that, should the AfD emerge victorious in government, they would designate Antifa as a "terrorist organization". In Thuringia and Saxony, on Sunday, the AfD could potentially make history, while in Brandenburg, a few weeks later, if they clinch the election, Weidel declared. "Let's turn the East blue, giving everyone a blue surprise."
AfD sympathizers continually echoed "East, East, East Germany", as well as "deport, deport". Höcke cautioned that the other parties had "lost touch with the people". The AfD, he suggested, could "make history" on Sunday.
Reaction against Right-wing Shift
The counter-protest was orchestrated by the coalition "On the Spots", among others. The march, which swelled with additional participants, commenced at the railway station and culminated at the Domplatz. The protesters voiced slogans like "Nazis out" or "Höcke out". Some of the alliance's affiliates were seen masked, which, according to the police, is a breach of the assembly law. Those targeted had subsequently discarded their masks upon being addressed.
"We refuse to let the AfD monopolize the election weekend with their radical right-wing propaganda, intimidate individuals, and misuse our city as a platform for their campaign," the coalition clarified. A week earlier, thousands had poured into the streets of Erfurt to protest right-wing extremism and a right-wing shift.
AfD at the Top in Polls
Latest polls in Thuringia indicate minimal shifts in party values. The AfD leads with values between 29 and 30%. The CDU, BSW, and Left Party trail far behind. Approximately 1.66 million Thuringians are due to cast their votes on Sunday for the state election.
The controversy surrounding Björn Höcke and Alice Weidel's right-wing extremist views became a focal point of the election campaign, with protesters demanding their removal and labeling the AfD as promoting a radical right-wing agenda. Thousands had previously taken to the streets of Erfurt to express their opposition to such extremism in Thuringia.
Despite the protests and concerns about right-wing extremism, the AfD remained at the top in polls, with values between 29 and 30%. This potential victory in government could lead to the designation of Antifa as a "terrorist organization" if the party's threats were realized.
