German protests target AfD conference as far-right eyes eastern state gains

Thousands of protesters in Erfurt, Germany, blocked roads to the AfD's annual conference on Saturday, with police estimating around 15,000 demonstrators gathered to oppose the far-right party's agenda. The protests highlight escalating tensions as the AfD leads national polls and seeks major gains in upcoming eastern state elections. The demonstrations, organized by trade unions, civil society groups, and left-wing parties, aimed to disrupt the two-day conference where the AfD hopes to capitalize on its polling strength, including a 41% lead in Saxony-Anhalt. Mainstream parties maintain a "firewall" strategy, refusing to collaborate with the AfD, which opponents accuse of promoting racist policies. The AfD's support is strongest in the former communist east, driven by voter frustration with traditional parties and economic stagnation. Co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are expected to be re-elected, while the party recently won a court injunction suspending its classification as "extremist" by domestic intelligence.