Police stop AfD opponents with pepper spray and batons
Police are prepared for a large-scale operation: Around 600 delegates of the AfD are meeting in Essen to elect a new federal executive committee. At the same time, around 100,000 counter-demonstrators are expected, among them approximately 1,000 people from the left-extremist spectrum. The first clashes between demonstrators and the police have occurred.
A few hours before the start of the AfD federal party conference in Essen, there was a clash between demonstrators and the police in the morning. A larger group attempted to overcome a barrier at around 5:45 am, reported a police spokeswoman. This was prevented with the use of pepper spray and batons. It is not known whether there were injuries on the side of the demonstrators. The spokeswoman further stated that the night had otherwise been quiet.
The AfD is holding its federal party conference in the Essen Grugahalle until tomorrow. Around 600 delegates have been invited to the spacious, fenced-off area to elect a new federal executive committee, among other things. The leadership duo Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are seeking re-election. The European election campaign, the handling of candidate Maximilian Krah, and the AfD's course in European and foreign policy will also be discussed.
The city of Essen had tried for months to prevent the party conference in the Grugahalle, but failed in court. Instead, numerous counter-demonstrations with up to 100,000 people from Germany and abroad are planned under the motto "Prevent the AfD party conference." The police are expecting around 1,000 people from the left-extremist spectrum. They are deploying several thousand officers to prevent riots and disturbances.
There were earlier reports of plans to block the arrival of AfD delegates. According to the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Herbert Reul, this was being studied in the left-extremist scene. The police have made it clear that they will not tolerate blockades to ensure an unobstructed course of the conference.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is also observing this weekend. On the one hand, to monitor left-extremist agitators. On the other hand, the domestic intelligence agency classifies the AfD as a right-extremist suspect case. The votes on political course changes and personnel at the top can provide insights into the future direction of the party and the question of how large the influence of the far-right faction within the AfD is at the moment.
- The police are preparing for potential clashes between demonstrators and AfD delegates at the party conference in Essen, given the presence of both 600 AfD members and 100,000 counter-demonstrators, including approximately 1,000 individuals from the left-extremist spectrum.
- The AfD party conference in Essen is a hotbed of political tensions, as evidenced by the clashes between demonstrators and the police, sparked by disagreements over the AfD's right-extremist views and policies.
- Amidst the growing concerns about right-extremism within the AfD, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is monitoring the party conference this weekend, keeping a close eye on potential actions from both the far-right and left-extremist groups.
- In the midst of the heated political atmosphere surrounding the AfD party conference in Essen, protection of the constitution, along with maintaining law and order, remains a top priority for both local and federal authorities.
