Thuringian Police Brace for Massive Antifa Protest at AfD Congress in Erfurt

The Thuringian police have warned of a serious escalation risk surrounding the AfD’s federal party congress scheduled for early July in Erfurt. Internal police assessments anticipate up to 50,000 counter‑demonstrators, the majority peaceful, but also estimate that 1,000‑5,000 participants could be left‑wing extremists with a high propensity for violence. Authorities expect 6,000‑8,000 people may attempt to block access routes to the exhibition centre, and up to 2,500 individuals are classified as “red‑category” agitators.

An anonymous post on the far‑left platform Indymedia called the gathering “the biggest mobilisation in the history of the antifascist movement,” urging participants to occupy roofs along the convoy route, defend them militantly, and, if the AfD wins the upcoming Saxony‑Anhalt state election, to storm the Magdeburg Landtag on 6 September. The statement cites involvement of Antifa groups from Switzerland, Italy and France. Police have prepared to intervene to ensure the congress can proceed while urging demonstrators to remain peaceful.