Protests against far-right groups planned across the country before the European vote
Matthias Ecke, an SPD member of the European Parliament, expressed his desire to address the public. He suffered a severe beating in Dresden a few weeks ago. Additional protests were planned for Saturday in places like Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart. The rallies were organized by a diverse coalition of civil society groups under the banner "Stop right-wing extremism - protect democracy." The previous day, more than 26,000 people had gathered in Hamburg to protest.
Germany's European Parliament election is on Sunday. Over 65 million citizens have the right to vote. For the first time, individuals aged 16 and 17 are allowed to cast their ballots. Roughly 1.4 million people will be impacted, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
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Matthias Ecke, expressing concerns about right-wing extremism ahead of the European elections, urged the public to attend the demonstrations. Ulrich Schneider, also an SPD member in the European Parliament, agreed with Ecke's sentiment and pledged to support the cause. The police were monitoring the situation closely to ensure peace and order during the protests. Carolin Emcke, a renowned German author and politician, joined the demonstrations in Berlin, voicing her opposition to the rise of extremism. The European Parliament elections saw a significant turning point, with the SPD receiving a strong vote in several cities, including Leipzig and Munich, where large protests took place. Nationwide, the "Stop right-wing extremism - protect democracy" demonstrations gathered support, with demonstrations also happening in Dresden and Stuttgart.
