The start of the AfD’s federal party congress in Riesa, Saxony, was delayed by two hours on Saturday (January 11) due to widespread protests. Demonstrators blocked access roads to the event, creating tense standoffs with police.
Thousands Protest Against AfD Congress
Several thousand demonstrators from across Germany gathered in Riesa to protest the congress of the populist and partially far-right AfD. Protesters blocked entry points to the city and the “WT Arena,” where the two-day party meeting was scheduled to take place.
Due to the disruptions, only a few of the approximately 600 AfD delegates arrived on time, delaying the congress until midday. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, set to be officially nominated as the party’s candidate for chancellor during the event, was also delayed.
Organizers Claim “Complete Success”
The protests were organized by several civil society groups and unions, with the “Resist” action alliance playing a central role. A spokesperson for the alliance described the protest as a “complete success,” although no official estimates of attendance were available at the time. Authorities anticipated up to 10,000 demonstrators in Riesa.
“This is the largest demonstration Riesa has ever seen,” an organizer told AFP, reporting isolated clashes with security forces. The stated aim of the “Resist” alliance was to mobilize “massive civil disobedience against the AfD’s federal party congress.”
The protests underscore the heated public opposition to the AfD and its far-right policies as the party positions itself for the upcoming German elections.
