Protesters gather in Berlin amid AfD campaign event

Protests erupted in Berlin against the far-right coincided with an AfD campaign event in Halle, as tensions rise over potential CDU-AfD coalition talks ahead of next month’s elections.

Tens of thousands gathered at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on Saturday night to protest the rise of the far-right ahead of Germany's snap elections on February 23. Organizers from Fridays for Future estimated 100,000 attendees, while police put the figure at 60,000. The protest coincided with a campaign event by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Halle.

Participants expressed concern over the growing far-right influence in Germany. "I find it all very frightening, what's going on right now, with the election campaign which has moved very far to the right," said Angelika, a protester from outside Berlin.

"I stand for democracy and for openness and diversity, and I think that's what makes Germany what it is. That's why it's important to stand up and be here," she added. Her 17-year-old son Kai also voiced his fear, noting, "My fear is that the pressure from the right will only intensify. I'm now also hearing about it at school, how people are talking about it and how critical they are of immigrants in general or of people who flee Ukraine, for example, because they simply no longer have the opportunity to live their lives."

In recent polls, the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is leading with 30%, followed by the AfD at 20%, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) at 17%. AfD leader Alice Weidel, speaking at the campaign event in Halle, once again pushed for "remigration" policies and called for an end to the political isolation of her party.

"My message to Friedrich Merz, dear Christian Democratic Union, tear down the undemocratic firewall. You must realize the will of the voters. The AfD is ready. The voters want a blue-black coalition in the Federal Republic of Germany for a real political change," said Weidel.

The event also featured a video message from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has previously expressed support for the AfD, sparking controversy in Germany. Musk's backing of the far-right party has drawn significant attention, particularly given the political tensions surrounding the upcoming election.

The snap election, set for February 23, follows the collapse of Chancellor Scholz’s coalition, amid growing support for the AfD and debates over migration and security.

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