Public concern over the rise of far-right influence in German politics has sparked massive protests across the country.
In Munich alone, more than 250,000 people demonstrated on Sunday, according to police estimates, surpassing the expected turnout of 75,000.
As reported by HotNews.ro, protestors carried signs with messages such as "Racism and hate are not an alternative" and "Ban the AfD now," referring to the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
The demonstration, themed "Democracy Needs You," was supported by various civic groups, including Munich's film festival, church institutions, volunteer organizations, and football clubs like FC Bayern Munich.
The protest reflects mounting concerns about cooperation between the opposition CDU/CSU and the AfD, particularly following a proposal to reform Germany's migration and internal security policies.
Protests Spread Nationwide
Similar demonstrations were held across Germany. In Hanover, 24,000 people marched, while Bremen and Rostock saw crowds of 25,000 and 3,000 respectively.
Marches also occurred in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Stuttgart, and other cities. Organizers reported that protests last weekend drew over 220,000 participants nationwide.
The protests come in response to a motion in the Bundestag from the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, which proposed stricter migration policies with AfD backing.
Although the proposal was defeated in late January, fears of a political shift toward extremism remain heightened as Germany prepares for federal elections on February 23.
A speaker at the Munich rally warned of parallels with Austria, where the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) is negotiating a coalition with conservative counterparts.
Demonstrators across Germany continue to voice their concerns, sending a strong message against the normalization of far-right alliances in mainstream politics.
