Violence erupted in Giessen, Germany, as Antifa protesters clashed with police during a demonstration against the Alternative for Germany’s youth convention, raising concerns over rising extremism.
Violence erupted in Giessen, Germany, as Antifa and other protesters clashed with police during a demonstration against the youth convention of the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD). The protests, which drew between 25,000 and 30,000 participants, delayed the start of the conference for the AfD’s youth wing, Generation Deutschland.
In response to the large turnout, authorities deployed the largest police contingent in the history of the state of Hesse, with approximately 6,000 officers on the ground. The situation escalated when demonstrators began throwing stones at police, resulting in injuries among law enforcement personnel.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel condemned the demonstrators during her speech at the convention center, stating, “What is being done out there — dear left-wingers, dear extremists, you need to look at yourselves — is something that is deeply undemocratic.”
The protests were marked by confrontations, with police using pepper spray and water cannons to disperse crowds that ignored orders to leave. Reports indicate that 10 to 15 officers sustained minor injuries during the clashes.
Richard Grenell, the former U.S. ambassador to Germany, expressed concern over the rise of anti-democratic sentiments among the left in Germany. He warned via social media platform X that the violent left could follow a path similar to that of their counterparts in the United States, potentially leading to increased violence and a loss of public support.
Boris Rhein, the governor of Hesse from the Christian Democratic Union, criticized the violent actions against police and the attempts to disrupt the AfD youth event. He stated, “The use of violence and attempts to prevent assemblies through marches can never be democratic means.”
The AfD has gained significant traction in recent elections, securing 20.8% of the vote in February, which placed them in second place. However, mainstream German political parties have refrained from forming coalitions with the AfD due to concerns over the party’s extremist views.
At the convention, the youth division of the AfD elected 28-year-old Jean-Pascal Hohm as its chairman. According to a report from the German newspaper Die Welt, Hohm has been quoted expressing anti-immigrant and nationalist sentiments. He emphasized the party’s commitment to a migration policy that prioritizes the interests of Germans, stating, “We will fight resolutely for a genuine shift in migration policy that ensures Germany remains the homeland of Germans.”
The formation of Generation Deutschland comes after Germany’s federal intelligence agency classified the previous AfD youth chapter, Young Alternative, as an “extremist organization” in 2023, leading to its dissolution. The AfD positions itself as an anti-establishment force amid growing public disillusionment with traditional politicians.
Since entering the national parliament in 2017, the AfD has capitalized on public discontent, particularly regarding migration, which remains a central theme in their platform. The party’s leaders displayed confidence during the convention, reflecting their strategy of leveraging various societal grievances to bolster their support.
The events in Giessen underscore the ongoing tensions between far-right and far-left groups in Germany, raising questions about the implications for democracy and public safety in the country.
Source: Original article