AfD elects leadership in Erfurt, protests fill the city

04.07.2026 11:01 HotInfo

A two-day national congress of the Alternative for Germany began in Erfurt, Germany on Saturday, at which approximately 600 delegates are electing the party's new federal leadership. According to available information, the meeting in the trade fair hall began on time. idnes.cz ↗

The congress is taking place in an atmosphere of tension in the city. In connection with the weekend event, German police expected up to 50,000 demonstrators, and already on Saturday morning there were extensive protests against the AfD in the Thuringian capital. The demonstrations accompanied the start of the party meeting, which is one of the main political events of the weekend in Germany. Die Zeit ↗

At the congress, the AfD wants to demonstrate cohesion ahead of the autumn elections. At the same time, attention is focused on the party's leadership and the relationship between Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. According to available reports, a power struggle between them is intensifying, while statements about the party's unity and confidence are being voiced at the congress. Spiegel.de ↗

The outcome of the leadership election will show whether the AfD manages to outwardly confirm its declared unity. The congress in Erfurt will continue over the weekend, and its course will remain under pressure from both the protests and expectations about how the party will set up its leadership ahead of the next electoral phase. novinky.cz ↗