FDP’s Strack-Zimmermann calls for peaceful demonstrations against the AfD’s national party congress in Erfurt this weekend.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a prominent FDP politician, has voiced her support for widespread, peaceful protests against the AfD’s national party congress scheduled for July 4-5 in Erfurt. Speaking on WELT TV’s ‘Stimme am Morgen,’ she emphasized the importance of democratic society expressing its opposition to the AfD’s actions, which she described as anti-democratic and divisive. Strack-Zimmermann stated, ‘Party congresses can provoke reactions, and I believe it is permissible for a democratic society to show the AfD that they can hold their congress, but we will not stand by as anti-democratic practices and hate against people are perpetuated.’

She stressed that protests must remain peaceful, adding, ‘A peaceful blockade is naturally allowed.’ Strack-Zimmermann also highlighted the role of police in ensuring access to the congress venue. Civil society groups, including the ‘Widersetzen’ alliance, have announced plans for blockades to disrupt the event, with support from the Left Party and several of its Bundestag members. Authorities are preparing for up to 60,000 counter-demonstrators, including an estimated 2,500 potentially violent left-wing extremists, according to internal police documents cited by WELT.