Far-right Alternative for Germany party re-elects leaders as protesters, police clash
The German far-right party AfD re-elected its leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla during a convention in Erfurt, which was met with significant protests. The party continues to gain political momentum despite controversy surrounding its ideology and the timing of its convention.
Why it matters
The AfD's rising popularity and the intense public opposition reflect deep political polarization in Germany and the broader European shift toward right-wing populism.
Delegates at the national convention of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party on Saturday (July 4, 2026) overwhelmingly re-elected its leaders, including the popular but controversial Alice Weidel, as tens of thousands of protesters aimed to disrupt the meeting, and some clashed with police.
The article reports on the event, the protests, and the party's electoral success while acknowledging the controversy without adopting the party's or the protesters' rhetoric.
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