A week before Germany's general election, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Berlin to rally for democracy and against the far right. With tensions high ahead of the crucial vote, protestors sent a strong message of resistance.
As the anti-immigrant, far-right Alternative for Germany party continues to gain support, protesters took to the streets of Berlin on Sunday to voice their opposition. The rally followed U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s call for Germany to reconsider its stance on working with far-right parties. His remarks further heightened political tensions ahead of the election.
Police estimated the crowd at 30,000, while organizers claimed it was closer to 38,000. Protesters carried placards opposing the AfD, which is expected to finish second in the election. Organizers urged action against extremism, racism, anti-Semitism, and social injustice, and called for a strong defense of democratic values.
Amid the demonstration, activists encouraged people to vote in the upcoming election, warning against the normalization of far-right rhetoric.
The CDU-CSU alliance, led by former Chancellor Angela Merkel, is expected to lead the election. Meanwhile, the AfD has gained significant support in the polls and is projected to achieve a record-breaking 20 percent of the vote.
The elections to the German Bundestag will take place on 23 February.
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