‘No to Nazis’: Protesters delay start of German far-right AfD party congress

NEWS WIRES

11 January 2025 at 5:23 am·1-min read

Thousands of anti-Nazi protesters gathered outside the site of a key meeting of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the town of Riesa on Saturday. During its congress the party is expected to formally nominate its leader Alice Weidel as candidate for chancellor ahead of Germany's snap election on February 23.

A key congress of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was delayed Saturday as thousands shouting "No to Nazis" protested outside the venue in the eastern town of Riesa.

The party's 600-odd delegates are expected to approve its manifesto at the two-day meet ahead of a snap general election on February 23 and to formally nominate its leader Alice Weidel as candidate for chancellor.

The draft version of the manifesto includes an exit from the euro and a tough immigration policy.

An AfD party spokesman told AFP that the programme was delayed by at least an hour due to protests preventing delegates from reaching the venue.

Police have said that they expect up to 10,000 people demonstrators outside the town's convention centre.

"We are filling the streets of Riesa with diversity, solidarity and openness and are gathering in numbers in front of the entrances to the AfD congress," said Mascha Meier, one of the protest organisers.

(AFP)

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