Thousands of people took to the streets across Germany after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) recorded its strongest-ever result in a state election, raising fears that the party could make further gains in upcoming polls in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
The protests followed the AfD's victory in Sunday's election in Saxony-Anhalt, where it won nearly 44% of the vote and secured 39 of the 83 seats in the state legislature. While the party fell short of the majority needed to govern on its own, it is seeking support from lawmakers from other parties to form what would be Germany's first far-right state government since the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), or Nazi Party, ruled the country.
In Berlin, demonstrators gathered around the Brandenburg Gate for a pro-democracy rally opposing the AfD. Police estimated the crowd at about 5,000, while organisers said more than 14,000 people attended. Protests were also reported in Potsdam, Münster, Göttingen, Dresden, Aachen, Bamberg, Darmstadt and Halberstadt.
