Leipzig Market Square: Thousands of people protest against the AfD

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The weather was certainly on our side on this September day: no rain, not too hot, not too cold – under these conditions, several thousand people had gathered in Leipzig’s market square from Saturday afternoon onwards. According to the organisers, 5,000 people took part. The occasion was the AfD’s electoral success last weekend in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt.

Even though it came as no surprise given the polls, the shock still lingers for many people: with 43.8 per cent of the vote and a record increase in support, the AfD secured victory in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September. The party’s regional branch there is classified by the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a confirmed far-right extremist organisation. Nevertheless, forming a government in Magdeburg is proving complicated, as the AfD fell short of an absolute majority.

Organisers put the number of people on the market square at 5,000

This is by no means a reason to sit back and relax – according to the unanimous view of many concerned people across Germany. Dozens of large-scale demonstrations have been announced across the country for the weekend. In Leipzig, the rally, which began at 12:00 on Saturday in the market square, was held under the slogan ‘Time to act: Stop the AfD!’ The rally had been organised by a number of coalitions, including the action network “Leipzig nimmt Platz”, “Omas gegen Rechts” and others.

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The speakers at the rally, which according to the organisers had grown to an estimated 5,000 participants, came from a variety of backgrounds. They included, amongst others, the former SPD Member of the Bundestag and current head of the DGB in Saxony, Daniela Kolbe; the former pastor of St Thomas’s Church in Leipzig, Christian Wolff; the Saxon author and activist Jakob Springfeld; and the director of the Leipzig University Choir, David Timm.

“This must spur all democrats into action”

The band “100 Kilo Herz” and the singer-songwriter “Schraubenyeti” provided musical accompaniment for the demonstration. The speeches highlighted various aspects: The shock at the election result in Saxony-Anhalt and the fear amongst certain groups of being governed by the AfD played a decisive role, as did the question of how to deal with AfD voters who might come from one’s own circle – family, neighbours, friends or colleagues.

However difficult it might be, one should still seek dialogue wherever possible, without abandoning a clear stance against the AfD – that was a key message. After all, it was argued, the party’s success thrives on the basis of poor politics, not least that of the federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The CDU leader, whose austerity plans and his party’s actions were the subject of harsh criticism in the speeches – criticism that also extended to the SPD, which is part of the federal coalition – was a key target.

The fact that the AfD was democratically elected in Saxony-Anhalt with its record result does not make it a democratic party; rather, it is right-wing nationalist and anti-constitutional, and has now secured a large majority, said retired pastor Christian Wolff, expressing his alarm in his address: “This must spur all democrats into action.” It is more important than ever to act now and stand up for diversity and social cohesion. A clear appeal against violence was also made, along with a call for the AfD to be banned.

Protest rally against social cuts planned in two weeks’ time

Express praise was given to the event’s organising team, who managed to organise the rally within a short timeframe despite limited resources, and to “100 Kilo Herz”, who, after a gig yesterday and another performance this evening in Täubchenthal, had quickly found the time to take part: “That’s not something to be taken for granted.”

The gathering ended to loud applause in the afternoon. No incidents were reported. Further protests have been announced for Sunday in Berlin, Dresden and other German cities. And: in two weeks’ time, a day of action for the welfare state will take place in Leipzig, at which participants will take a stand against cuts and austerity measures in the social welfare system.