Highlights: 150,000 people demonstrated on Saturday February 3 in Berlin - at least 200,000 across the country. A group of 1,800 associations had called for the formation of a “wall of fire” against the far right. In the polls, the far-right party has fallen by three points, to 19%, since the start of the movement. But political scientists are cautious about the interpretation to be given to this decline, on the eve of three crucial regional elections in the east.

150,000 people demonstrated on Saturday February 3 in Berlin - at least 200,000 across the country - against the far-right AfD party, 300,000 according to the organizers. A group of 1800 associations…

New massive mobilization against the AfD and the far right in Germany

A rally against the far right took place in Berlin on February 3, 2024. REUTERS - FABRIZIO BENSCH

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Berlin,

Nathalie Versieux

Neither the drizzle nor the start of the school holidays discouraged the Berliners. 100,000 people were expected around the Reichstag, the building which houses the German Parliament. There were three times more according to the organizers. Families, students, groups of friends... Rainbow flags waved in the gray sky, numerous hand-painted banners, often humorous, gigantic soap bubbles fly towards the Reichstag. Testimonials:

“

You know, I have worked at the Charité hospital for thirty years. There are 70 of us in my department, from 25 different nationalities. It’s clear that I have to be here today

,” says one man, while another adds: “

we want everyone who wants to stay in Germany to be able to do so

”; “

In fact, it’s already way too late,”

says one woman.

We have watched idly as the AfD developed for far too long. Now it's really important that we all go to the streets.

» Another demonstrator wonders about the solutions: “

ban the AfD? That would already be a start. Even if it won't change people's way of thinking, even if they won't suddenly say, I'm voting to the left, or for another party.

» His neighbor has already decided: “

I am for banning the party. Very clearly. At least for the sections of Thuringia, Saxony Anhalt and Brandenburg, which are already classified as extremist by intelligence.

Jakob Springfeld, spokesperson for the NGO Solidarity Network Saxony k interviewed by the Reuters agency, said he was shocked that it had taken so long to organize demonstrations of this scale against the far right, while the AfD has already succeeded in establishing itself in many small towns. “

But there is a surge now. And the fact that this start is happening brings hope, I believe.

Down in the polls

Rallies also took place in the cities of Dresden, Hanover and Mainz, a sign of growing concern over the strong public support for the AfD. “

Whether in Eisenach, Homburg or Berlin, in small and large towns across the country, many citizens are coming together to demonstrate against forgetfulness, hatred and hate speech,

” Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on the network social X. These demonstrations are “

a strong sign in favor of democracy and our Constitution

,” he added.

The protests follow an investigation by the Correctiv media, published last month, according to which two influential members of the AfD participated in a meeting to discuss the mass expulsion of citizens of foreign origin. The AfD denied that this proposal was part of its program.

Also read: Germany shaken by the excesses of the far right

In the polls, the far-right party has fallen by three points, to 19%, since the start of the movement. But political scientists are cautious about the interpretation to be given to this decline, on the eve of three crucial regional elections in the fall in the east of the country.

Also read AfD Congress in Germany: “An extremist current has taken power within the party”

New massive mobilization against the AfD and the far right in Germany

New massive mobilization against the AfD and the far right in Germany

Down in the polls

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