An estimated 160,000 people gathered in Berlin on Sunday to protest against right-wing extremism and to call for a clear political separation between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
The protest, titled “Aufstand der Anständigen – Wir sind die Brandmauer!” (“Uprising of the Decent – We Are the Firewall!”), was organised in response to recent parliamentary cooperation between the CDU and AfD on asylum policy.
The demonstration stretched from the Victory Column to the CDU’s headquarters, the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus, with the crowd spilling onto the Straße des 17. Juni and reaching the Brandenburg Gate. According to the police, around 160,000 people participated, while organisers claimed as many as 250,000 attended.
Protest Against Parliamentary Vote
The demonstration followed a controversial Bundestag vote in which the CDU secured support from the AfD for a motion advocating for stricter asylum policies. This cooperation sparked widespread criticism, with opponents arguing that such collaboration undermines the CDU’s long-standing commitment to maintaining a “firewall” against far-right politics.
Among the key speakers at the rally was Michel Friedman, a journalist and former CDU member, who recently resigned from the party in protest. Addressing the crowd, Friedman reiterated his belief that the CDU remains a democratic party but warned against the dangers of engaging with the AfD. “The party of hate is the party that does not stand on democratic ground,” he declared.
The former chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, also addressed the demonstration, urging political leaders to permanently rule out any future collaboration with extremist forces. “One does not cooperate with those who trample on human dignity. Period,” he stated.
Broad Political and Social Support
The protest saw participation from several high-profile figures, including SPD co-leaders Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken, as well as SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch. Klingbeil emphasised the importance of a strong democratic centre, stating, “We must ensure that extremists do not gain influence in our politics.”
Other notable speakers included Jens-Christian Wagner, head of the Buchenwald Memorial, climate activist Luisa Neubauer, author Carolin Emcke, and Amnesty International Germany’s Secretary General Julia Duchrow. The event was organised by groups such as Campact, the Berlin-Brandenburg branch of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), and Fridays for Future.
Demonstrations Across Germany
The Berlin protest was one of many held across the country. In Regensburg, 20,000 people joined a similar demonstration, while large crowds also gathered in Ulm, Kiel, Potsdam, and Braunschweig. In Cologne, a group of water sports enthusiasts staged a demonstration on the Rhine, assembling 350 boats to display banners calling for democracy and diversity. The flotilla formed against the city’s skyline, with messages such as “No Racism” and “For Democracy and Diversity.”
CDU’s Response
Despite the controversy, CDU leader Friedrich Merz has reiterated his party’s opposition to the AfD. He defended the Bundestag vote, arguing that the motion aligned with CDU policies rather than representing a shift towards cooperation with the AfD. However, critics within the CDU and beyond have accused Merz of undermining the party’s commitment to distancing itself from far-right politics.
The protests reflect growing public concern over the increasing influence of the AfD, which recent polls suggest could secure significant support in upcoming elections. Demonstrators warned against normalising cooperation with the party, with one banner reading, “It’s five minutes to 1933,” a reference to the rise of the Nazi regime.
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