30,000 Protesters Delay AfD Convention in Erfurt as Police Record 100 Offenses
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 4
30,000 Protesters Delay AfD Convention in Erfurt as Police Record 100 Offenses
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 4
Summary
More than 30,000 protesters flooded Erfurt on Saturday, clashing with police and delaying the AfD party convention and leadership vote.
Police used batons and anti-riot munitions to clear blockades as demonstrators tried to shut the gathering, though authorities said the protests were mostly peaceful despite about 100 recorded violations, largely graffiti.
AfD still re-elected co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who denounced the roadblocks as anti-democratic and said opponents were trying to stop the conference from taking place.
The confrontation comes as AfD, Germany's second-largest Bundestag group, is polling strongly after winning more than 20% of the 2025 federal vote and now ranks among the country's most popular parties.
As Germany's most popular party, is the AfD a threat to democracy or a product of its failures?
Could an AfD state victory trigger a constitutional crisis between a German state and the federal government?
With record-high support, can Germany's political 'firewall' against the far-right hold?
AfD’s Rise to 29%: Protests, Extremism Controversy, and the Struggle for Germany’s Future
Overview
On July 4, 2026, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) held a national congress in Erfurt, where hundreds of delegates gathered to vote on party leadership and plan future strategies. Current co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla were expected to keep their positions, reaffirming the party’s established direction. The AfD has become Germany’s most popular political party, with recent polls showing 27% to 29% support, surpassing the ruling conservatives. However, the congress faced strong opposition, as thousands of protesters—viewing the AfD as far-right extremists—demonstrated in Erfurt, with some even trying to block access to the venue.