Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Berlin, Dresden, Hanover, and other cities across Germany to express their deep concern over the rising support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The protests, held under the banner “We are the Firewall,” centered around the Reichstag parliament building in Berlin, aiming to condemn right-wing extremism and demonstrate unwavering support for democracy.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz applauded the nationwide demonstrations, emphasizing their significance in the fight against forgetting, hatred, and hate speech. He characterized the protests as a robust endorsement of democracy and the country’s constitution.
The AfD’s increasing success has triggered anxiety within Germany’s mainstream political parties, raising fears that the party could dominate three state elections in eastern Germany scheduled for September. Recent polls indicate a slight decline in AfD support, but the party remains in second place behind the main opposition conservatives.
Jakob Springfeld, spokesperson for the NGO Solidarity Network Saxony, expressed shock at the delay in mass demonstrations against the far-right, given the AfD’s prior success in smaller communities. However, he sees the current mobilization as a positive turning point, providing hope for a collective response against the far-right ideology.
A Forsa poll released earlier this week revealed that AfD’s backing dropped below 20% for the first time since July. Voters cited nationwide protests against the far-right as a pivotal factor. Despite this decline, the AfD remains in second place, with the main opposition conservatives leading at 32%, while Scholz’s centre-left Social Democrats secured the third position at 15%.
The protests come in the wake of reports that two senior AfD members participated in a meeting discussing plans for the mass deportation of citizens of foreign origin. The AfD has denied that this proposal reflects the party’s official stance. The ongoing demonstrations underscore the growing societal resistance against far-right ideologies in Germany.
