AfD Faces New Scrutiny Over Erfurt Congress Protests and Alleged Hitler Salute

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is under renewed pressure as a special plenary session was convened for its party congress in Erfurt, amid disputes with Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD) over alleged incitement of counter‑demonstrators and police security arrangements.

Separately, a photo from June 2020 showing AfD state chairman Martin Reichardt allegedly performing a Hitler salute has sparked calls from Saxony‑Anhalt’s Minister‑President and opposition leaders for his resignation and party exclusion. Reichardt and the AfD dispute the interpretation, describing the gesture as a “humorous knight’s salute.” The controversy has been raised in the Bundestag and condemned by parties across the spectrum.