Mass protests held in Erfurt during AfD party convention

On July 4, 2026, thousands of protesters gathered in Erfurt, Germany, to demonstrate against the national convention of the right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD). Estimates regarding the number of participants vary, with police figures ranging between 15,000 and 20,000 people. Activists from the 'Widersetzen' alliance and various labor unions blocked roads and access points to the convention center to prevent approximately 600 delegates from attending. While protesters utilized sit-ins and obstructions to impede access, reports indicate clashes occurred between police forces and activists, with some video footage showing the use of batons and pepper spray. The AfD convention aims to re-elect co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla ahead of critical regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The party currently holds a lead in opinion polls and seeks to secure its first-ever state-level government power. Local authorities deployed heavy police reinforcements from across Germany to maintain order throughout the two-day event.