Thousands protest at far-right AfD rally as German election campaign begins
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Co-leader Alice Weidel pledges to tear down all wind turbines – ‘windmills of shame’ – and praises delegates for ‘defying left-wing mob’. Thousands demonstrated against a convention held by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on Saturday as parties launched their campaigns for next month’s national election.
![[Among the AfD policies is a pledge to leave the Euro currency]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/11/18/SEI235631658.jpg)
A heavy police presence was in place in Riesa — in the eastern state of Saxony, an AfD stronghold – and officers cleared some protesters from the streets. However, the two-day conferfence started a little over two hours late as many delegates’ trips to the venue were slowed by blockades.AfD formally nominated co-leader Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor. She thanked delegates for “defying the left-wing mob and getting here.”.
![[A protester takes part in a demonstration blocking a road near the AfD party congress in Riesa, Germany]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/11/18/SEI235623705.jpg)
Polls show AfD in second place ahead of the 23 February election, with about 20% support. However, Weidel — who this week held a live chat with tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has endorsed the party — has no realistic chance of becoming Germany’s leader as other parties refuse to work with AfD.
![[Police officers deal with protesters outside the AfD rally in Riesa, Germany]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/11/18/SEI235619050.jpg)
It is the mainstream conservative opposition Union bloc that leads polls with around 30% and its candidate, Friedrich Merz, is the favorite to become the next chancellor. The Union is focusing on boosting Germany’s stagnant economy in particular and on reducing irregular migration. Weidel assailed it as a “party of fraudsters” Saturday, urging people to “vote for the original” and strengthen her party.
![[A delegate waits for the start of the AfD conference in Riesa, Germany on Saturday]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/11/18/SEI235620029.jpg)
