Thousands of people rallied in cities across Germany on Sunday to protest right-wing extremism and demand a ban on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

The demonstrations were organized by the network Together Against the Right and other civil society groups.

In Berlin, protesters gathered at the Brandenburg Gate, with police estimating the crowd at around 4,000 by late afternoon, while organizers claimed approximately 7,500 participants. Around 2,500 demonstrators also took to the streets in Munich, with rallies announced in more than 60 cities nationwide.

Organizers urged political leaders to begin formal proceedings to outlaw the far-right AfD, Germany’s largest opposition party.

In a statement, they argued that the issue of banning the party should be seen not as a political decision, but as a legal matter.

“To clarify this, politicians must find the courage to file a motion for a ban,” it said.

The organizers are calling on the Bundestag and Bundesrat legislative bodies, as well as the new federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to initiate ban proceedings against the AfD before the Federal Constitutional Court.

[…]

The AfD is known for its anti-immigration, anti-Muslim, eurosceptic and nationalist rhetoric. The populist party has been a flashpoint in German political life for more than a decade. It has benefited in recent years by tapping into economic discontent and growing unease over refugees.

  • Nollij@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    211·
    8 hours ago

    To all of my European friends, please remember that AfD (and other similar groups) are merely a symptom, not the disease itself. You have to identify and address the root cause of why AfD has any meaningful support.

    • Geth@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      15·
      7 hours ago

      And what do you think that is? So far I blame algorithmic/targeted social media that leads to echo chambers and lowering living standards because of rising cost of living and prices without salaries keeping up.

      But I’m also getting the impression that no one that can actually do anything about it is aware or cares enough to act so we are fucked either way.

      • JimmyMcGill@lemmy.worldEnglish
        8·
        5 hours ago

        There’s definitely education (or lack there of) and propaganda, but the main issue is wealth inequality in this neo liberal, capitalist world

        Wages have stagnated and everything is much more expensive. The quality of life of the majority of the population is massively worse than before. Yes we have cool gadgets and better healthcare due to technological advancements but the crux of the matter is that exploitation is tru the roof. People work 2 and 3 jobs and can’t make ends meet. Meanwhile billionaires get richer and richer in increasing pace.

        Public services get cut, people get ask to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and they look for someone to blame and are told to look down (to immigrants) instead of up (to the ultra rich).

      • Nollij@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        9·
        6 hours ago

        Disclaimer: Not European, so this is my perception about the similar rise in the US.

        Part of it is economics, and the general decline of (personal) prosperity. People can’t afford the things needed for a comfortable life. That includes housing, heat, food, and entertainment.

        Part of it is definitely propaganda. No matter what the issue is, you can find countless sources pointing to whatever enemy you might think of. And people flock to it, choosing their own echo chambers. Side note: Lemmy is very much part of this, although typically in the opposite direction than what boosts AfD.

        But I think the biggest factor is education, particularly in critical thinking. A lot of these movements promise an easy explanation and an easy fix. Real solutions never are. It takes a lot more effort to truly examine their claims, and it always comes with real downsides that people don’t want. There also isn’t a moment after any policy changes where people evaluate the results, and reevaluate the plan to figure out how to better get to their goals.

  • poloqualle@feddit.orgEnglish
    361·
    11 hours ago

    People are largely in favor of a ban. German intelligence officially labels afd a nazi party. Fucking do it already.

  • Che Banana@beehaw.orgEnglish
    291·
    15 hours ago

    AfD members can just go to America.

    …then get deported ‘accidentally’ to El Salvador

    • towerful@programming.devEnglish
      101·
      13 hours ago

      They’re clearly being politically repressed so no doubt Donny would welcome them with open arms, a gold/green card, and set them up as ambassadors to Europe.

  • Etterra@discuss.onlineEnglish
    43·
    11 hours ago

    I agree with their intentions, but they’re going to end up playing whack-a-mole if they succeed. It’ll just pop up somewhere else with a fresh coat of paint and a new name printed on the side, but it’ll still be the same horrible shit.

    • homoludens@feddit.orgEnglish
      101·
      10 hours ago

      It’ll just pop up somewhere

      That’s certainly possible, but it would be a crime.

    • NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io
      142·
      12 hours ago

      Uh… Brothers of Italy? National Rally? Reform UK? The Nazis are winning basically everywhere in Europe. And also, you want WWIII? Because this is how you get WWIII.

      • zenforyen@feddit.orgEnglish
        1·
        21 minutes ago

        Somehow I can’t imagine European countries fighting each other again. Fighting at the borders of the EU? Maybe. But like, Europe infighting like back in the old days? No fucking way. Against Russia and/or the US? That may be. But I also do not think so. It will continue to be a hybrid war played out by propaganda and economical warfare, and the occasional tactical military flare-up. I think in our post-modern times almost nobody wants an old school war. Hard to sell to everyone. No need if you can get whatever you want using other manipulations.