Mass Protests Erupt Across Germany Against Far-Right Party’s Plans for Deportation
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Germany to express their outrage and opposition to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s plans for mass deportation of immigrants. The public outcry follows revelations that AfD members had held a meeting with far-right activists to discuss these controversial plans.
Protests were held in several cities and small towns on Saturday, with demonstrators using signs and slogans to mock the AfD party and condemn their stance on migrants. German media reported that some signs read, “Fascism is not an alternative.” The scale of the protests was significant, with an estimated 35,000 people joining the “Defend democracy – Frankfurt against the AfD” march in the financial heart of Germany. Similar numbers turned up in cities like Hanover and Dortmund, while smaller towns also witnessed mobilization against the AfD.
The demonstrations were not limited to a few locations, as protests took place in cities including Braunschweig, Erfurt, and Kassel. The widespread nature of the protests reflects the growing concern among the German public regarding the AfD’s policies. In fact, Germany’s ARD public television estimated that over 200,000 people participated in protests across the country on Saturday alone.
The outcry began after a report by investigative outlet Correctiv on January 10 exposed the AfD members’ discussions about deporting immigrants and “non-assimilated citizens” during their meeting with far-right activists. One of the participants in the talks was Martin Sellner, a leader of Austria’s Identitarian Movement, which subscribes to the conspiracy theory known as the “great replacement.” This theory claims that there is a plot by non-white migrants to replace Europe’s “native” white population.
The revelation of this far-right gathering sent shockwaves throughout Germany, especially considering that the AfD is currently polling second in nationwide surveys. The timing of these revelations is particularly significant as three major regional elections in eastern Germany, where the AfD enjoys strong support, are just months away. While the anti-immigration party confirmed the presence of its members at the meeting, they denied endorsing Sellner’s “remigration” project. Co-leader Alice Weidel even distanced herself from one of her advisers who participated in the talks.
However, leading politicians, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have strongly condemned any plans to expel immigrants or citizens, stating that such actions would constitute an attack against democracy. Chancellor Scholz himself joined a demonstration last weekend and called on all citizens to stand up for cohesion, tolerance, and democratic values. The sentiment against the AfD’s plans extends beyond politicians, with leaders from Germany’s business industry expressing their concerns as well.
Siemens Energy’s supervisory board chairman, Joe Kaeser, described the revelations as “absolutely disgusting” and warned of the damage it could cause to Germany’s global image. Kaeser urged German businesses to publicly voice their concerns and highlight the potential consequences of such policies.
The mass protests across Germany demonstrate the widespread opposition to the AfD’s plans for mass deportation. People from all walks of life, including politicians, churches, and even Bundesliga coaches, have called on citizens to stand up against the party’s divisive policies. As Germany prepares for upcoming regional elections, it remains to be seen how these protests will impact public opinion and political dynamics in the country.