The German far right continues to make headlines, and this time, it is through massive demonstrations that have taken place across the country. The protests were organized in response to shocking revelations about the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party.
Media reported that the protests had many more participants than expected, surprising many observers. In Munich, up to 250,000 people marched in the streets, although organizers expected ten times fewer demonstrators. Similar figures were recorded in Hamburg, where the first large-scale protests against the AfD took place.
This unprecedented popular mobilization is mainly due to the revelations made by the Correctiv media. This consortium of investigative journalists revealed a secret meeting held in November 2023 between far-right and neo-Nazi members, as well as AfD executives. These discussions focused on a “remigration” project, that is to say the expulsion of a portion of immigrants residing in Germany.
This “remigration” project aroused indignation and recalled discriminatory practices of the past, such as the “Madagaskarplan” during the Nazi era. The Correctiv revelations were the final straw for many Germans, who then decided to take to the streets to express their opposition to the AfD.
What is striking about these demonstrations is the diversity of the participants. These were not just anti-fascist organizations and left-wing movements, but also entire families and people who defined themselves as centrists. Even officials from the CSU, the regional right-wing conservative branch, took part in the protests in Bavaria.
This massive mobilization has important implications for the AfD. It calls into question his claim to represent the German people, and it could also change the political dynamics in regions where the German far right is traditionally strong.
These protests are a clear sign that many Germans are not ready to accept the far-right policies of the AfD and are ready to mobilize against them. They also show the importance of robust investigative journalism to highlight the links between political parties and extremist movements.
In conclusion, the massive protests that have taken place in Germany against the AfD are a sign that German society rejects the ideas of the far right. This shows that Germans are ready to mobilize against racism and intolerance, and to defend democratic values. These protests are a powerful reminder of the importance of opposing the far-right and continuing to fight for an inclusive and human rights-respecting future.