Massive Protests Erupt in Berlin Against Far Right Influence Ahead of Elections
On Sunday, February 16, tens of thousands gathered in Berlin to voice their opposition against potential cooperation with far-right factions, sparked by US Vice President JD Vance's recent remarks urging Germany to abandon its long-standing policies against aligning with such groups. Police estimated the crowd at around 30,000, while organizers claimed the number was closer to 38,000. Demonstrators held placards with messages condemning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is poised to become the second-largest party in the upcoming general election on Sunday.
The demonstration was organized under the slogan "We are the firewall," emphasizing Germany's historical resistance to working with far-right parties. Vice President Vance, speaking in Munich, had controversially suggested that Germany should reconsider its reluctance to include far-right elements in government, arguing that there was no place for firewalls in contemporary politics.
Polls indicate that the conservative CDU/CSU coalition, led by former Chancellor Angela Merkel, is expected to secure the highest number of votes in the election, while the AfD is predicted to capture about 20% of the electorate – a significant increase attributed to their rising popularity and support from figures like tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The AfD's ascendancy has raised alarms and prompted a series of large demonstrations. Just last weekend, around 250,000 people took part in a protest against the far-right in Munich, and the week before, a similar event in Berlin drew approximately 160,000 participants. The increasing tensions surrounding the rise of the AfD and the potential shifts in Germany's political landscape have galvanized many citizens to take to the streets in solidarity against fascism and extremism.
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