The AfD Party will hold a congress at the exhibition grounds in Erfurt, Thuringia state, starting today and ending tomorrow.

In a statement made by the Thuringian police on the US-based social media platform X, it was stated that thousands of people demonstrated in Erfurt and around the exhibition grounds in the morning hours.

Police use pepper spray, batons on AfD congress protesters

The statement reported that protesters arrived in the city on over 200 buses, and approximately 20,000 people participated in the demonstrations.

The statement also shared information that the congress began as planned, and delegates reached the exhibition grounds without major obstructions.

Police intervened harshly against protesters in some areas

German press reports stated that protesters closed highways, streets, and intersections in and around the city to prevent AfD delegates from reaching the exhibition grounds, holding sit-ins and forming barricades there.

The report stated that protesters demonstrated at many points in and around the city.

Police use pepper spray, batons on AfD congress protesters

The report noted that one group of protesters attempted to block transport by gluing their hands to tram tracks, while another group hung banners by rappelling down from a highway bridge.

The report stated that police intervened harshly against protesters in some areas.

Roads to AfD congress venue closed

A report by public broadcaster MDR also stated that police used pepper spray against demonstrators at Gothaer Square as they marched towards Erfurt city center.

Bild newspaper also reported that police intervened with batons against protesters who breached a police cordon at one point in the city center.

Police use pepper spray, batons on AfD congress protesters

A statement on the website of the “Widersetzen” group, which organized the anti-AfD protests, stated that roads leading to the AfD congress venue were closed, and tens of thousands of people demonstrated, with 17,000 people, including 3,000 on highways, participating in actions organized by “Widersetzen.”

A report by the German Press Agency (DPA) noted that AfD delegates reached the congress hall before roads were closed by protesters, and an AfD spokesperson stated that 540 delegates were in the hall by 5:00 AM local time.

At the congress, attended by over 600 delegates, the party's leadership will be elected.

The AfD currently ranks as the leading party in national polls, with support between 27-29 percent.