Counter-demonstrators caused massive traffic disruptions in Thuringia’s capital, Erfurt, on Saturday morning ahead of the official commencement of the AfD federal party congress. According to police reports, more than 15,000 participants were already in and around Erfurt before 8 a.m., setting up multiple roadblocks. These blockades were particularly visible on the B4 near Gispersleben and the B7 near Frienstedt, as well as at the Erfurter Kreuz, on the A71, and throughout the city center at Gothaer Platz. While police stated that the overall situation remained “calm,” the road closures initially delayed the reopening of the A71. Furthermore, several individuals were seen rappelling from a highway bridge near Mittelhausen/Stotternheim.
Despite the disruption, the arrival of AfD delegates proceeded without major incident; the majority had already reached the convention center well two hours prior to the official start. The federal party congress is therefore expected to begin around 10 a.m. as planned. Authorities are forecasting a total of approximately 50,000 counter-demonstrators throughout the day and are anticipating potential violent clashes.
Historically, AfD party gatherings have often been accompanied by protests and frequently experienced delays. The central focus of this meeting is the election of the party’s executive board, a contest in which the current AfD leaders, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, are both running again.
