Protests delay Germany far-right party congress – JURIST

Thousands gathered on Saturday in the German city of Riesa to protest against the conference of Germany’s far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD). The start of the AfD’s party conference, which is expected to last for three days, was delayed for two hours.

The AfD’s party conference, titled “Time for Germany“, is a key convention that is expected to confirm co-leader Alice Weidel’s nomination as a candidate for the upcoming Chancellor’s election in February.

According to reports from the state police, ahead of the party conference, multiple protests had already been announced. The number of protesters was estimated to be 10,000. During the protests, the police recorded 34 offenses, and six officers were slightly injured.

Police Chief Lutz Rodig emphasized that protesters enjoy the fundamental right of assembly under Article 8 Paragraph 1 of the Basic Law, the constitution of Germany. However, he also noted that by the same token, the Basic Law obliges the police to protect federal party events, regardless of the political orientation of the party.

Under Article 21 Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law, to foster democracy and open competition between political parties, only the Federal Constitutional Court has the power to ban a party. Last year, 113 federal lawmakers initiated an application under Article 21 to declare that the AfD is unconstitutional and seize the assets of the far-right party.

The AfD is known for its conservative positions, skepticism about the European Union, and hostility towards immigrants. In January 2024, after an expose revealed that the AfD discussed plans to conduct mass deportations, protests took place in 114 cities across Germany against the party.

The protests in Riesa come amidst political instability in Germany. In December, following the collapse of his coalition government, Chancellor Olaf Scholz requested a confidence vote at the Parliament under Article 68 of the Basic Law. The number of votes did not meet the requisite number to maintain the Parliament’s trust, and therefore, Chancellor Scholz ordered the Parliament to be dissolved and new federal elections to take place in February this year. While other political parties have refused to work with the AfD, following the AfD’s victory in the state election in Thuringia last year, many worry that the far-right party will gain further power in the upcoming federal elections.