Far-right Alternative for Germany party reelects leaders as protesters and police clash

By — David Keyton, Associated Press David Keyton, Associated Press By — Pietro De Cristofaro, Associated Press Pietro De Cristofaro, Associated Press By — Ebrahim Noroozi, Associated Press Ebrahim Noroozi, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/far-right-alternative-for-germany-party-reelects-leaders-as-protesters-and-police-clash Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Far-right Alternative for Germany party reelects leaders as protesters and police clash World Jul 4, 2026 2:07 PM EDT ERFURT, Germany (AP) — Delegates at the national convention of the far-right Alternative for Germany party on Saturday overwhelmingly reelected its leaders, including Alice Weidel, as tens of thousands of protesters aimed to disrupt the meeting and some clashed with police. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, sought to show unity as it voted to extend the terms of Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who have headed it for four years as co-leaders and ran unopposed Saturday. Weidel was reelected with 81% of the vote, while Chrupalla earned 70%. German parties elect their leaders every two years. The demonstrations outside the convention in the eastern city of Erfurt reflected how AfD has divided Germany even while becoming the biggest opposition party nationally and the strongest political force in Germany's formerly communist east. READ MORE: Once viewed as MAGA allies, some European nationalists distance themselves from Trump's Iran war Saturday's event was able to start on time despite the protests, which party officials hailed their "fundamental, legally guaranteed right to hold party conventions." "There are no peaceful seated blockades. There are no democratic roadblocks. Nor are there any gangs of thugs who deserve the harmless label 'civil society.' These troublemakers are the last resort of our political rivals," Chrupalla said. The weekend convention drew additional controversy by coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of a Nazi Party meeting held nearby that consolidated Adolf Hitler's power over the fascist movement. Historians and political opponents say the timing carries powerful symbolism, an accusation the AfD rejects. AfD fights 'firewall' as its support rises AfD achieved second place in the February 2025 national election with 20.8% of the vote, the best showing by a far-right party since World War II. Since then support has risen to first among the nation's political parties. Despite the growing support, some want to see the party banned and protesters this weekend are likely to underline those calls. But Germany's supreme court previously has set a very high bar for banning parties. Although Weidel said recently that "2026 is a year of destiny for AfD," mainstream parties say they won't work with AfD in a stance often referred to as a "firewall" against far-right parties. A demonstrator holds a smoke flare during a protest against a two-day party convention of Ger