Tens of thousands march across Germany to protest far-right party AfD
Approximately 150,000 protesters gathered across Germany to demand a ban on the far-right AfD party following their recent electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt. The demonstrations highlight deep societal divisions regarding the party's anti-immigration and pro-Russian platform.
Why it matters
The rise of the AfD and the subsequent public backlash represent a critical shift in German politics, challenging the country's established political order.
Protesters in about 20 cities, including Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, demand the banning of the Alternative for Germany.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info People gather in a pro-democracy and anti-far right demonstration in front of the Rotes Rathaus city hall in Berlin, Germany, on September 12, 2026 [Omer Messinger/Getty] By Al Jazeera Staff and AFP Published On 12 Sep 2026 12 Sep 2026 Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Germany to protest against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) after the far-right party won a state election by a landslide.
About 150,000 demonstrators turned out in roughly 20 cities on Saturday, including Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, in rallies organised by Pruef, a campaign group pushing for a ban on the AfD.
Protesters carried signs reading “Ban the AfD now” and “Democracy needs no alternatives.”
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