Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in the German city of Erfurt on Saturday, clashing with police in a massive political rally.
Videos showed police using batons and anti-riot ordnance to push back against agitators, as the demonstrators chanted against the country's conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Police reported over 30,000 people attended the demonstrations, with many carrying signs reading "Stop AfD Nazis" and "For Diversity, Against Nazis."
Despite the tense confrontations, police described the demonstrations as "mostly peaceful," with approximately 100 law violations recorded, mostly due to graffiti.
The protests coincided with the AfD's party conference and leadership elections, during which the party re-elected Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as co-leaders.
The demonstrations delayed the AfD's vote, prompting Chrupalla to criticize the method used by protesters to express their dissatisfaction.
"There are no peaceful seated blockades. There are no democratic roadblocks. Nor are there any gangs of thugs who deserve the harmless label 'civil society,'" Chrupalla said.
"These troublemakers are the last resort of our political rivals," Chrupalla added, accusing the protesters of acting anti-democratically.
"They believe they have a monopoly on democracy. To these demonstrators I say: this democracy is just as much our democracy as it is yours," Chrupalla said.
A spokesperson for an antifascist group claimed the group's intention was to block the AfD's party convention, citing the party's policies on deportations and street terror.
The group's spokesperson argued that the AfD pursues policies that benefit the rich, while ignoring the problems faced by ordinary citizens.
AfD has been accused of extremism by citizens and politicians in the country's ruling coalition, but the party rejects these claims, arguing it is being used as a political instrument by mainstream parties.
The party has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, grabbing over 20% of the national vote in federal elections, and some federal polls have ranked the party as the most popular in the country today.
The party's leaders expressed confidence in their ability to win elections and govern, with Chrupalla saying "We will win. Maybe we’ll be able to govern alone soon."
The party shares similar stances on social, cultural, and domestic issues with the Trump administration, and some party attendees were seen sporting "Make Germany Great Again" hats.
