Protests on the Streets of Germany's AfD Electoral Convention, Tension Amidst Clashes with Police

Protests on the Streets of Germany's AfD Electoral Convention, Tension Amidst Clashes with Police
Riesa, January 11, 2025: The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has started its two-day convention for the upcoming national elections, held in the eastern state of Saxony, one of its strongholds. During this convention, the party will formally nominate co-leader Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor and finalize details of its platform.

A large number of protests have surrounded the convention. Protesters have voiced their opposition to the convention, and some threw fireworks towards the police. German news agency dpa reported that the police dismantled a road blockade and maintained a heavy presence around the event.

According to polls, AfD is currently in second place in the election, with about 20% support. However, their candidate Alice Weidel has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor, as other parties have refused to cooperate with AfD.

The mainstream conservative opposition Union bloc leads the polls with around 30% support, and Friedrich Merz, their candidate, is the favorite to become the next chancellor.

Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz is competing with his Social Democratic Party, but his party's support is currently limited to 14-17%, and there has been no significant change in the polls. Scholz is leading a minority government, which collapsed in November due to intense opposition and instability in his cabinet.