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.
Read next
11:33
Germany's election-winning conservative CDU/CSU bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, and the Social Democrats (SPD) have reached an agreement in principle with the Greens on a significant increase in state borrowing ahead of next week’s parliamentary vote.
16:41
World News
Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has secured a breakthrough deal with the Greens, paving the way for a massive state borrowing boost. The agreement, crucial for economic growth and defense spending, sent the euro surging as markets reacted to the historic shift in Germany’s fiscal policy.
15:19
A 24-hour strike at key German airports on Monday left over half a million passengers stranded, with over 1,000 flight cancellations, as workers demand higher wages and better conditions.
10:47
Berlin’s airport has cancelled all flights for Monday in anticipation of a labour union strike, which is expected to affect over half a million travellers and disrupt thousands of flights at 11 airports across Germany.
21:06
Germany’s election winner Friedrich Merz and the SPD have wrapped up preliminary coalition talks, pledging stricter migration controls and economic reforms. Merz aims to finalise the deal by Easter, stressing Europe must strengthen itself amid shifting U.S. policies under Donald Trump.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment