On Sunday, approximately 160,000 people gathered in Berlin to protest against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and the recent cooperation between the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the AfD on a proposed immigration bill. The demonstration, organized by the group "Campact" under the banner "Aufstand der Anständigen - Demo für die Brandmauer" ("Uprising of the Decent - Demo for the Firewall"), was a response to two joint votes by the CDU and AfD in the Bundestag supporting a migration reform.
Protesters marched from the Reichstag building to the CDU headquarters, which was heavily cordoned off, voicing strong opposition to both the AfD and CDU leader Friedrich Merz. Many participants held signs reading "Ich bin die Brandmauer" ("I am the firewall") and linked hands to symbolize their stand against far-right ideologies. Speakers at the event, including Christoph Barz from "Campact," former head of the Protestant Church Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, and activist Luisa Neubauer, criticized the CDU and Merz for their recent actions. The demonstration concluded in front of the CDU headquarters with further speeches and chants.
This protest was part of a broader wave of demonstrations across Germany, with significant gatherings in cities like Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Leipzig. The protests were sparked by a non-binding motion in the Bundestag to tighten border controls and restrict family reunifications for refugees, proposed by Merz and supported by the AfD. This collaboration broke a longstanding taboo in German politics against cooperating with far-right parties.
The CDU's cooperation with the AfD has been widely criticized, with many viewing it as a breach of Germany's post-World War II commitment to avoid collaboration with far-right factions. Prominent figures, including SPD politicians Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken, participated in the protests, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong democratic center and opposing any form of alliance with extremist parties.
These events highlight the deep divisions within German politics regarding immigration policy and the extent to which mainstream parties should engage with far-right groups.
For more on the protests, you can watch the following video: