Germany news: AfD elects leaders amid massive protests

Skip next section Thuringia's interior minister to DW: 'Most of the protests were peaceful' July 4, 2026

Thuringia's interior minister to DW: 'Most of the protests were peaceful'

More than 30,000 people protested in Erfurt against the AfD party convention, which is taking place there this weekend.

"Most of the protests were peaceful. It's colorful and loud—we can be satisfied," said Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier at the scene.

Maier is a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party, and Thuringia is the eastern German state where Erfurt is located.

DW reporter Paul Jäger, who was present at the demonstrations, confirmed this: "People came from all over Germany. They said that simply voting for a different party wasn’t enough for them; they wanted to take a stand for democracy by actively protesting on the ground."

Nevertheless, he witnessed acts of violence during the numerous protests. Especially around the convention center, where the party convention was held, there was violence against journalists from conservative media outlets and clashes between the left-wing Antifa movement and the police.

On Sunday, the delegates' meeting of the far-right AfD will come to an end. Unlike at many previous party conventions, this year's focus is on demonstrating unity.

Protests, arrests at German far-right AfD congress

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Given the historically high poll numbers and the upcoming elections in three eastern German states in September, the party does not want to display any public differences or provoke new controversies. Most speeches, therefore, refrained from verbal escalations and mutual attacks.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Ga7Y

Skip next section What did police say about the Saturday protests in Erfurt? July 4, 2026

What did police say about the Saturday protests in Erfurt?

Around 31,000 people took part in protests against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), outside the party's conference venue in Erfurt, eastern Germany, police said.

Union members, civil society groups and left-wing activists sat in rows to block highways and roads leading to the convention centre where the 2-day conference is happening.

Police reinforcements from across Germany were deployed alongside local officers in case of violence.

Earlier, police said the protests were largely peaceful, although police said they used pepper spray during isolated clashes.

In the later statement, police said it had recorded 16 protests during the day and that around 10,000 people had taken part in the sit-down blockade of several streets in the city.

Some 60 people were arrested, 48 for criminal offenses and 11 for administrative offenses, the statement said.

The police said an investigation has been launched after several journalists were injured during the protests.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Ga7O

Skip next section Merz: Germany has some 'very good years ahead' July 4, 2026

Merz: Germany has some 'very good years ahead'

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz talked up the country's future on Saturday, as multiple geopolitical issues and fierce rivalry from China weigh on economic growth.

Merz told a regional party conference for his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the western city of Düsseldorf that the years ahead could be successful provided the country stays on its reform path.

"Germany's best years are not behind us: If we get it right, we have some very good years ahead of us," he said.

He continued that Germany has achieved a great deal in recent decades and had repeatedly worked its way out of crises.

Merz then told party members that the current challenge must be met with reforms.

"We are proving that the political center can find solutions, work out compromises and also reform the country," said Merz. "Step by step, we are proving that we are a genuine reform coalition for Germany."

Merz wasn't expected to attend the conference in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. His last-minute appearance was seen as an attempt to unite the party following a recent split.

During recent contentious economic reform talks, speculation grew that the CDU had lined up NRW State Premier Hendrik Wüst as chancellor-in-waiting, should Merz fail to deliver.

NRW will hold elections early next year.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Ga4c

Skip next section Large fire in Stuttgart extinguished, cause of blaze unclear July 4, 2026

Large fire in Stuttgart extinguished, cause of blaze unclear

Firefighters have managed to extinguish the large blaze that had ripped through two industrial halls at Stuttgart's market after battling it since Friday evening.

Up to 300 firefighters and other responders were deployed to the scene.

The cause of the blaze remained unclear, with the police asking for witnesses to step forward.

The damage is believed to be immense, with first estimates cited by police going up to tens of millions of euros.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZz7

Skip next section Star Wars theme disrupts leadership vote July 4, 2026

Star Wars theme disrupts leadership vote

The conference also saw Stefan Möller, a close associate of firebrand Björn Höcke, being promoted to the position of the AfD's deputy federal spokesperson. Möller will be responsible for legal disputes between the AfD and the domestic security services. He boasted that the security services have a "thick file" on him.

The vote for the party’s federal executive board was interrupted by an apparent musical protest. As balloting took place, trumpet blasts and snatches of the "Imperial March" — the Star Wars theme associated with the villain Darth Vader — echoed intermittently through the hall.

The source of the disruption remains unclear. Security personnel spent roughly half an hour searching the venue with sniffer dogs before eventually locating a Bluetooth speaker hidden behind the podium.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZxM

Skip next section Weidel, Chrupalla give speeches after notable dual-leadership result July 4, 2026

Weidel, Chrupalla give speeches after notable dual-leadership result

Delegates at the Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) party convention in Erfurt confirmed Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla in their roles as co-leaders.

Weidel, who comes from western Germany, secured 81%  of the vote, consolidating her position at the top of the party. Chrupalla, from eastern Germany, won 70%  — a sharp drop from the 83%  he received two years ago.

The result could fuel renewed debate within the party over whether to retain its dual-leadership structure. Under AfD bylaws, a single-leader model would also be permitted.

Weidel vows tough deportation policy

In her address, Weidel launched a pointed attack on Germany's conservative bloc, comprised of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU).

Weidel accused conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz of announcing reforms he had no intention of delivering.

"We will carry out rigorous deportations!" she told delegates, drawing loud applause from the hall.

Chrupalla, for his part, focused on the party’s ambitions for power. He described the AfD as having evolved into a mainstream "people’s party."

"We want to govern — and we will govern — first at the state level, then nationally," Chrupalla said..

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZve

Skip next section Teenager found dead at the bottom of gully in Bavarian Alps July 4, 2026

Teenager found dead at the bottom of gully in Bavarian Alps

A 19-year-old died after apparently falling down a 200-meter (cca 650 feet) gully in Bavaria, near the Austrian border, German police said on Saturday.

The youth, from the historic city of Bayreuth in northern Bavaria, was reported missing on Friday by his family members.

Police responded by launching a search involving helicopters and drones before finally locating the young man's body near the Alpine town of Piding, The spa town is located some 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of Bayreuth.

A special Alpine unit of the German border police is leading the investigation.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZph

Skip next section German Chancellor Merz talks air defenses with Ukraine's Zelenskyy July 4, 2026

German Chancellor Merz talks air defenses with Ukraine's Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the recent Russian bombing of Kyiv that killed at least 30 people in a phone call on Saturday.

"With its missile attacks on Ukraine, Russia is playing its last card. It has no other options left to drag the war out," Zelenskyy said in a social media media post following the call.

The two leaders also discussed air defenses for Ukraine, with Zelenskyy describing Patriot missiles as "currently the top priority."

Could US Patriot systems be a gamechanger for Ukraine?

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Germany has previously supplied Ukraine with US-made Patriot systems and helped it secure missiles for them.

Merz reaffirmed Germany's support to Kiyv, according to a German government spokesman.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZp2

Skip next section AfD delegates confirm Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as party chiefs July 4, 2026

AfD delegates confirm Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as party chiefs

In two separate votes on Saturday, AfD delegates attending the party conference in Erfurt voted for their incumbent party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla to keep their positions.

The AfD, like many German parties, has a dual leadership structure — usually featuring a male and a female co-president.

The Weidel-Chrupalla duo has been leading the AfD together since 2022. No major challengers emerged for either of them in Erfurt.

Some 81% of the AfD delegates endorsed Alice Weidel, the 47-year-old openly lesbian leader of the far-right party, on Saturday, while 51-year-old Chrupalla, a one-time CDU conservative, secured just over 70% of the vote.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZj6

Skip next section Höcke downplays comparisons to 1926 Nazi Party meeting July 4, 2026

Höcke downplays comparisons to 1926 Nazi Party meeting

Björn Höcke, the party leader in Thuringia, called the comparisons to the Nazi Party meeting in 1926 "nonsense." Höcke was speaking in a short interview with German public broadcasters ARD, ZDF and DW.

The 1926 Nazi Party conference from July 3 to July 4, 1926 in Weimar, which is located not far from Erfurt, saw the introduction of the "Hitler Youth" movement and the first widespread use of the "Hitler salute" gesture.

When asked about the venue, Höcke replied, "Do you know how hard it is for the AfD to secure venues?" The AfD had written to every exhibition hall in Germany, and "we’re absolutely thrilled that we were able to secure this exhibition date, which was planned years in advance."

According to Höcke, the Erfurt Exhibition Center offered the party two dates last year: "The date was offered to us by the exhibition center in Thuringia — as if we’d had some historical date in mind. What nonsense!"

Only those "who are monomaniacally fixated on these twelve years" could come up with something like that. Höcke added that the party convention in Erfurt "will give the ongoing election campaigns in the east a boost" ahead of the state elections scheduled for this September in three eastern German states — Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Berlin.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZjF

Skip next section Protesters say autobahn blockade ended July 4, 2026

Protesters say autobahn blockade ended

After blocking a highway near Erfurt on Saturday morning, anti-AfD protesters were now lifting the blockade "by their own choice," according to the Widersetzen (Resist) alliance.

However, the police warned that the disruption was still ongoing on the Autobahn 71 highway.

"At the moment, there are still rally participants on the highway, so it still cannot be opened for traffic," they said.

Police also estimated 25,000 participants at and around Erfurt on Saturday. The authorities said pepper spray was used in some cases in order to ensure passage for emergency services.

Ahead of the AfD party conference, the protesters threatened to block several routes to the venue, but the initiative was banned by the court. The ban remained in place despite an appeal lodged by city officials.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZi9

Skip next section Erfurt 'stands for diversity,' says Thuringia's far-left ex-premier July 4, 2026

Erfurt 'stands for diversity,' says Thuringia's far-left ex-premier

With anti-AfD protesters marching in Erfurt, the capital of Germany's eastern state of Thuringia, former state premier Bodo Ramelow sought to underline the city's tradition of tolerance.

"This city stands for freedom, this city stands for diversity, this city stands for a shared, colorful life," Ramelow told protesters at the central Gothaer square.

Thuringia is seen as one of AfD's strongholds among Germany's 16 states. However, it also saw Ramelow, from the Left party, take power as the head of the state government twice since late 2014. The current premier, conservative Mario Voigt of the CDU, took over from Ramelow in December 2024.

The head of Germany's DGB union Yasmin Fahimi echoed Ramelow's remarks on Saturday.

"We are making it clear today that Erfurt is not just a site of some party conference, but a place of resistance," she said, urging a ban of the AfD party.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZhe

Skip next section Football legend Jürgen Klopp confirms he is in talks to become Germany's coach July 4, 2026

Football legend Jürgen Klopp confirms he is in talks to become Germany's coach

One of most popular football coaches in the world, Jürgen Klopp, told Germany's MagentaTV that he was offered to lead the German national team.

The country's football association is scrambling to find the successor to Julian Nagelsmann following the humiliating World Cup loss to Paraguay, which caused Germany to be knocked out of the tournament.

"Julian has resigned, and the DFB is looking to appoint a successor; as part of their deliberations, they approached me," Klopp said.

"German football is now naturally at a turning point. We now have to fundamentally change things."

Klopp also said he was "ready" to take over the German side but noted he was still bound by his contract with Red Bull and a solution would need to be found. According to the contract, the former Liverpool coach is to serve as the brand's Head of Global Soccer until 2029.

For a full story on Klopp's long-running flirtation with the top job and the possible impact he might have as the Germany's head coach, click here.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZX4

Skip next section Germany rebukes China over reports of Beijing training Russian soldiers July 4, 2026

Germany rebukes China over reports of Beijing training Russian soldiers

The German government held urgent talks with the Chinese ambassador to Berlin, Deng Honbo, following reports that hundreds of Russian troops were secretly trained on China's territory.

Some of these soldiers, according to German media, were later deployed to the war in Ukraine.

On Saturday morning, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said those reports caused "great concern" in Berlin.

"China has to know that Russia's offensive war in Ukraine threatens our core interests, and Europe is of course ready to defend such core interests," Wadephul said, responding to a question by DW.

"This war needs to be brought to a close and there must really not be a single move to continue the war, including the moves taken from the outside," he added.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZQc

Skip next section AfD convention opens in Erfurt despite blockades July 4, 2026

AfD convention opens in Erfurt despite blockades

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened its party convention in Erfurt on schedule Friday, overcoming protester blockades that had shut down roads around the venue since early morning.

Demonstrators had hoped to prevent the convention from taking place at all. But hundreds of the roughly 600 delegates were already en route by 4 a.m. local time (0200 UTC), traveling by bus under police escort. By 10 a.m., the hall was full and proceedings began on time.

"The Antifa rioters slept through their own disruption attempt," AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla told delegates in his opening remarks, drawing laughter from the hall. Antifa is an anti-fascist political movement originating in Germany.

Police had braced for as many as 50,000 demonstrators over the weekend, though turnout so far appears well below that figure. Protests have remained largely peaceful.

In his address, Chrupalla declared the party ready to "assume governmental responsibility," pointing to what he described as newfound unity within the AfD and record poll numbers nationwide. "Perhaps we will be governing soon," he said.

The choice of venue and timing has drawn sharp criticism. The convention falls exactly 100 years after the Nazi Party (NSDAP) held its first national gathering following its refounding — a 1926 event in nearby Weimar that historians credit with reenergizing Hitler’s movement at a critical juncture. AfD officials reject any suggestion of a link between the two events.

Critics see it differently. The party’s decision to convene in Weimar near Erfurt sends what one observer called a "very clear signal." Jens Christian Wagner, who leads the nearby Buchenwald Memorial, argued the AfD is "not — at least not yet — the 'NSDAP 2.0,'" but said its rhetoric increasingly echoes the ethno-nationalist, authoritarian ideology of the 1920s and ’30s, alongside a pattern of minimizing and reframing Nazi-era crimes.

https://p.dw.com/p/5GZX6

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