Frankfurt (Germany), 4 July (LaPresse) – The AfD’s federal congress opened in Erfurt amid heavy security and with thousands of protesters on the streets. The police, who deployed around 6,000 officers with support from forces from all the Länder and the Federal Police, escorted the delegates’ coaches to the exhibition centre, whilst several roads and sections of the A71 motorway were temporarily closed for security reasons. According to the authorities, over 30 demonstrations have been authorised, and up to 50,000 protesters are expected over the weekend. The police have estimated that around 20,000 people have already arrived in Erfurt. Thousands of demonstrators have organised roadblocks and sit-ins at the entrances to the exhibition centre, causing delays to traffic and the tram network after some protesters glued themselves to the tracks. The ‘Widersetzen’ movement has announced the arrival of around 200 buses carrying protesters from across Germany with the aim of disrupting the congress.
Germany: Mass protests and heavy security at the AfD congress in Erfurt
Frankfurt (Germany), 4 July (LaPresse) – The AfD’s federal congress opened in Erfurt amid heavy security and with thousands of protesters on the streets. The police, who deployed around 6,000 officers with support from forces from all the Länder and the Federal Police, escorted the delegates’ coaches to the exhibition centre, whilst several roads and sections of the A71 motorway were temporarily closed for security reasons. According to the authorities, over 30 demonstrations have been authorised, and up to 50,000 protesters are expected over the weekend. The police have estimated that around 20,000 people have already arrived in Erfurt. Thousands of demonstrators have organised roadblocks and sit-ins at the entrances to the exhibition centre, causing delays to traffic and the tram network after some protesters glued themselves to the tracks. The ‘Widersetzen’ movement has announced the arrival of around 200 buses carrying protesters from across Germany with the aim of disrupting the congress.
