Thousands in Germany protest against the rise of the far right ahead of general election

People hold up their cell phones as they protest the far-right Alternative for Germany in Berlin on January 25, 2025.

Masses of protesters filled the streets of Berlin and other cities across Germany on Saturday in a rally dubbed the "sea of light" to show their defiance against the rise of the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is polling in second place ahead of the upcoming February 23 general election.

Thousands of Germans on Saturday protested in Berlin and other cities against the rise of the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of a February 23 general election.

At Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, participants lighted up their phones, blew whistles and sang anti-fascist songs, and in Cologne, protesters carried banners denouncing AfD.

An opposition bloc of Germany’s center-right parties, the Union, led by Friedrich Merz, is leading pre-election polls with AfD in second place.

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Merz said Friday that his party will bring motions to toughen migration policy – one of the main election issues – to parliament next week, a move seen risky in case the motions go to a vote and pass with the help of AfD.

A protester in Cologne, Thomas Schneemann, said it was most important for him to ”stay united against the far right."

(AP)


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