Tens of thousands protest against AfD across Germany
Quick Look
- Around 20,000 people demonstrated in Düsseldorf under the slogan 'Not a Step Back!
- No to the AfD and Right-Wing Hate Speech!' to protest the Alternative for Germany party and right-wing hate speech, following the AfD's strong showing in Saxony-Anhalt state elections.
- Similar protests occurred in Berlin, Munich, and other German cities.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party received nearly 44% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on September 6, 2026, the highest share but short of an absolute majority. This result followed strong AfD polling in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and came amid warnings from former Chancellor Angela Merkel about blurred lines between truth and lies in politics.
Police said around 20,000 people demonstrated in Düsseldorf under the slogan "Not a Step Back!" to protest the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and right-wing hate speech. DW has more.
https://p.dw.com/p/5MPdD
Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is three points ahead in a new poll for the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
The poll comes after the AfD thrashed the center-right CDU in Saxony-Anhalt's state election
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that truth and lies are increasingly being blurred, including by people in power
Merkel acknowledged that some decisions during her time as chancellor helped fuel support for the AfD
Here is a roundup of top stories from and about Germany on the weekend of Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13:
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
AfD will clear the 5% hurdle in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state elections on September 20, 2026
Likely · Within days
Further protests against the AfD will occur in German cities following the Saxony-Anhalt election results
Very likely · Within weeks
German Constitutional Court will review requests to ban the AfD
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- Will the AfD surpass the 5% threshold in the upcoming Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state elections on September 20, 2026?
- What specific actions will German authorities take regarding the antisemitic attack in Berlin?
- How will the CDU/CSU alliance respond to continued AfD electoral gains?
- Will there be further protests against the AfD in other German cities?
