More than 200,000 protesters rallied in Munich, Germany, on Saturday to protest far-right extremism ahead of the country’s general election. The rally, held at Theresienwiese home to the annual Oktoberfest was one of many nationwide demonstrations opposing the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is currently polling in second place ahead of the February 23 vote.
The demonstrations in Munich were accompanied by earlier ones, including the recently held protest rally in Berlin, with around 160,000 attendees. According to organizers, the show may reach up to 320,000 in Munich, which is much more than estimated. Protesters with banners carrying messages like “Racism and hatred is not an alternative” condemned the ascent of the party, AfD.
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The event received support from a broad coalition, including activist groups, churches, the Munich Film Festival, and local soccer clubs like FC Bayern and TSV 1860. Authorities confirmed the demonstration remained peaceful.
Protests have been spurred by growing fears over efforts by Germany’s conservative parties to find common ground with the AfD. Friedrich Merz, who leads the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and is a top contender in the election, has come under attack after his party presented more restrictive migration plans last month, which were supported by the AfD.
Germany has long upheld an unwritten rule against collaborating with far-right factions due to the country’s Nazi-era history. However, critics argue that the CDU’s willingness to accept AfD support in parliamentary votes undermines this principle.
A simultaneous protest in Hanover attracted 24,000 people. Organisers of the rally in Munich say they want to give a “strong signal for diversity, human dignity, cohesion and democracy”. But the uproar has caused no change to the CDU’s stance it won’t make any government that includes the AfD.
