Tens of thousands protest across Germany against any form of cooperation with the far-right AfD, focusing on CDU’s migration law proposal.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Germany in protests against cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The demonstrations, which took place in multiple cities, primarily targeted the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for its recent parliamentary vote on stricter migration laws, reports DW.
CDU and AfD Cooperation Sparks Backlash
The protests erupted after the Bundestag (German Parliament) passed a CDU-backed motion to tighten migration laws on January 29, 2025, with the support of AfD. However, a follow-up migration bill failed to pass on January 31. The public outcry reflects growing concerns over the normalization of AfD’s influence in German politics.
Large-Scale Demonstrations Across Cities
The largest protests occurred in Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig, and Stuttgart. According to police estimates:
- Hamburg: Around 65,000 people protested peacefully, while organizers claimed the number was closer to 80,000.
- Bremen: Approximately 10,000 demonstrators took part.
- Cologne: Police estimated 16,000 participants, while organizers reported 45,000.
- Other cities: Protests also took place in Hanover, Braunschweig, Lüneburg, Essen, and Aachen.
In Leipzig and Dresden, located in eastern Germany, between several thousand and 10,000 protesters gathered, according to media reports citing police sources.
Symbolic Messages and Political Reactions
Protesters carried banners with slogans such as “No to Merz from Mars” and “Fritz, listen to mommy!”, a reference to former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had openly opposed CDU’s cooperation with AfD. Merkel, who was often nicknamed “Mommy” during her tenure, criticized the CDU’s alignment with AfD on migration policy.
A Broader Political Shift?
The protests highlight growing tensions over Germany’s political direction, particularly as the CDU faces internal divisions over its stance on migration and AfD’s rising influence. Demonstrators warned against a shift to the right and demanded a firm stance against far-right ideology in mainstream politics.
