Germany: Nationwide protests against right-wing extremism expected
Demonstrations against right-wing extremism, hate and social marginalization are set to take place in numerous cities across Germany this weekend.
Organizers in Munich say they expect around 75,000 participants on Saturday, significantly exceeding the 25,000 initially registered for the rally.
Marches are also planned in cities including Frankfurt, Hanover, Bremen and Stuttgart.
Last weekend, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets nationwide, many protesting against a controversial vote in parliament on a tougher migration policy. The vote saw a non-binding motion proposed by the centre-right opposition leader Friedrich Merz passed in the lower house, but only thanks to the votes of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Critics accuse Merz of breaking the long-standing “firewall” preventing cooperation with the AfD.
Another migration bill introduced by the conservatives narrowly failed to secure a majority in parliament a couple of days later, as a handful of lawmakers from the CDU did not cast their votes.
Merz is considered the favourite to become Germany’s next chancellor, according to recent polls. Although his collaboration with the AfD has ignited a firestorm, the move has apparently not significantly harmed his bloc’s standing in the latest polls.
