Thousands of AfD supporters gathered in western Germany's Giessen city on Saturday, converging on a central convention center where the far-right party was launching its new youth wing. The event marked a significant moment for the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which finished second in the national election earlier this year and is now Germany's largest opposition party.
Outside, protesters blocked roads, delayed some delegates' arrivals, and clashed with police, resulting in pepper spray being used to disperse stones thrown by protesters. Water cannons were also deployed to clear a blockade of around 2,000 protesters who refused to leave.
Party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla condemned the protests as undemocratic, while Weidel expressed confidence that AfD would secure its majority of mandates in upcoming regional elections, including those taking place in former communist states.
"We will get the majority of mandates; we will provide our first governor," Weidel said.
AfD's new youth organization is seen as a response to its predecessor, the Young Alternative, which was dissolved at the end of March due to party ties being cut loose.
The AfD has portrayed itself as an anti-establishment force amid low trust in politicians. Its campaign themes include curbing migration and addressing other social issues that have fueled public discontent.
Outside, protesters blocked roads, delayed some delegates' arrivals, and clashed with police, resulting in pepper spray being used to disperse stones thrown by protesters. Water cannons were also deployed to clear a blockade of around 2,000 protesters who refused to leave.
Party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla condemned the protests as undemocratic, while Weidel expressed confidence that AfD would secure its majority of mandates in upcoming regional elections, including those taking place in former communist states.
"We will get the majority of mandates; we will provide our first governor," Weidel said.
AfD's new youth organization is seen as a response to its predecessor, the Young Alternative, which was dissolved at the end of March due to party ties being cut loose.
The AfD has portrayed itself as an anti-establishment force amid low trust in politicians. Its campaign themes include curbing migration and addressing other social issues that have fueled public discontent.
. I mean, I get why they're upset about the AfD's rise to power - it's like they're living in a "The Handmaid's Tale" world where anyone can join this extremist party 
. But at the same time, their youth organization does sound kinda... cool, like a "Sons of Anarchy" motorcycle club? 
Not sure how I feel about that 
. Anyways, it'll be interesting to see if AfD really secures those regional election wins - fingers crossed they don't turn out to be like the villainous characters in "Game of Thrones"... 
, but those protests outside? seems like some ppl can't separate their politics from the party... police got pretty aggressive though, pepper spray? water cannons? feels like they were more worried about clearing space than actual maintaining public order 
people aren't gonna magically become happy with what's been going on, so we need to have a real conversation about it. AfD might be painting themselves as the anti-establishment crew, but at the end of the day, it's still just another party with its own agenda... and we gotta ask ourselves, is that really an improvement over the status quo? 
anyway, I guess what I'm saying is, let's not be too quick to celebrate when one group takes up a new space, 'cause we're all just trying to figure this whole thing out, right? 
The fact that people are willing to block roads and clash with police just shows how extreme things can get when politicians start exploiting fears and mistrust. It's not exactly the kind of atmosphere you want to see in a democratic society. 
I don't get why they can't just let people express their opinions peacefully, you know? It's like, the AfD has its own issues to deal with without resorting to chaos 
The party leaders are trying to spin this as a positive move for them, but honestly, it's kinda sad 
They're trying to create this image of being anti-establishment, but at the end of the day, they're just causing more problems than solutions 
I think it's a classic case of the "outsider" party becoming the biggest opposition force. They're capitalizing on people's frustrations with the establishment and promising to shake things up. But let's be real, their tactics are getting more aggressive by the day. Those protests outside the convention center were wild 
. It's like they're trying to recreate the 1968 student riots vibe, but without the, you know, actual student spirit 
And what's up with Weidel's confidence in securing those regional election wins? Is she underestimating the competition or just plain optimistic? 
and I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that they couldn't come up with something original... or maybe it's just me who thinks protesters are more exciting than a party launch? 
anyway, i wonder if Alice Weidel's confidence in winning regional elections is based on some actual data or just a hot take 
and btw, pepper spray instead of tear gas? that says a lot about the AfD's priorities 
.
. The police are literally using water cannons on protesters and it's just...wow 
I'm all for an anti-establishment vibe, but when it goes too far, that's when problems arise. Water cannons and pepper spray? That's not how you handle dissent, fam 
And what's with these protests being undemocratic? Germany prides itself on being a democratic country... we gotta keep that spirit alive 
they blocked roads and clashed w police, used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse them... it's like something outta a movie!!! 
. it's just gonna fuel more division and hate... can't we all just try to listen to each other instead of shouting over our respective microphones 
especially with low trust in politicians everywhere 
. anyway, i guess it's good for the afd to have some new blood or whatever, but let's see if they can actually deliver on their promises 
Germany's alternative is literally becoming the establishment... Meanwhile, I'm over here wondering if they'll ever get a majority, lol. These protests were kinda on point though - who needs peaceful demos when you can block roads and delay people?