Clashes Erupt as Thousands Protest AfD Youth Conference in Germany
Tensions Flare in Giessen as Police Confront Massive Demonstrations
Giessen, Germany – Thousands of protesters clashed with police in the central German city of Giessen on Saturday as demonstrators attempted to halt the founding conference of Generation Deutschland, the newly established youth wing of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Authorities reported a crowd of nearly 30,000 people descending on the city to voice their opposition to the organization’s formation, underscoring mounting tensions over the AfD’s growing influence in national and regional politics.
According to police, the security operation was one of the largest in Hesse state’s history, with approximately 6,000 officers deployed to maintain order around the Giessen convention center, where the gathering took place. Despite tight security, the demonstrations—initially peaceful—turned confrontational in the late morning after several groups of protesters ignored dispersal orders and attempted to breach police barricades. Officers responded with pepper spray and water cannons after some demonstrators hurled stones and bottles.
Police Deployment Reaches Historic Scale
The massive police presence reflected officials’ concerns about potential unrest. Authorities established cordons several blocks around the venue, restricted vehicle access, and set up temporary checkpoints to prevent clashes between AfD members and counter-demonstrators.
Local police chief Andreas Müller described the situation as “extremely volatile,” noting that the operation required reinforcement from neighboring states. “We are managing one of the largest deployments ever seen in Hesse,” he said. “Our priority is to safeguard both public security and the freedom of assembly.”
While most protesters engaged peacefully—singing, waving banners, and holding signs denouncing fascism and racism—a fringe group reportedly attempted to disrupt access roads leading to the conference center. Police said the use of force was necessary after barricades were dismantled and fires were briefly lit in trash bins along the street.
At least 10 to 15 police officers were reported injured in the scuffles, though none seriously. Several demonstrators were detained for disturbing the peace or resisting arrest. Officials emphasized that, despite tense moments, there were no major casualties or property damage downtown.
Launch of Generation Deutschland Marks New Chapter for AfD
Inside the convention center, AfD members proceeded with the founding assembly of Generation Deutschland. The organization replaces Junge Alternative (Young Alternative), which was formally dissolved in 2023 following its classification as a right-wing extremist group by Germany’s domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
Delegates at the conference elected 28-year-old Jean-Pascal Hohm as the group’s first chairman. Hohm, a former Junge Alternative member known for his anti-immigration rhetoric, declared that Generation Deutschland would serve as “a voice for young patriots unafraid to defend German identity.” His speech was greeted by applause and chants from party supporters calling for more restrictive border policies.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, addressing delegates via video link, condemned the protests outside as an “attack on democracy and free speech.” She argued that the opposition to the youth group revealed what she described as “a culture of intolerance toward dissenting opinions” in German political life.
Far-Right Party’s Electoral Surge Raises Alarm
The emergence of Generation Deutschland comes as the AfD consolidates record levels of support in several German regions. In February, the party captured 20.8 percent of the vote in Hesse’s regional elections, securing second place behind the Christian Democrats. Recent nationwide polling suggests the AfD has maintained strong backing in the former East German states, where economic uncertainty and migration concerns continue to fuel resentment toward established political forces.
Since its founding in 2013, the AfD has evolved from a Eurosceptic movement opposing eurozone bailouts into a full-fledged nationalist and anti-immigration party. Its rise has been particularly pronounced during periods of refugee influx or economic instability, moments that have amplified populist narratives across Europe.
Mainstream German parties have repeatedly ruled out coalitions with the AfD, citing the party’s extremist rhetoric and ongoing scrutiny by domestic intelligence authorities. Nonetheless, the AfD’s steady electoral gains have reshaped political discourse, forcing traditional conservatives to confront questions about their strategy to counter the far-right appeal.
Protesters Mobilize Against Far-Right Expansion
Saturday’s demonstrations brought together a broad coalition of environmental groups, labor unions, student organizations, and anti-fascist networks. Rally organizers said they viewed the formation of Generation Deutschland as a dangerous normalization of extremist ideology within mainstream politics.
“We are sending a clear message that hate has no home in our communities,” said Lena Krüger, a spokesperson for the alliance “Giessen Stands Together.” She described the protest as not only a reaction to the AfD’s youth wing but also a defense of democratic values and social inclusion.
Crowds gathered in the city’s central square, waving colorful flags and playing drums, while speeches condemned what protest leaders called “a resurgence of nationalism reminiscent of darker chapters in German history.” Cultural performances and solidarity events also took place in nearby towns, illustrating the widespread mobilization triggered by the conference.
Historical Context: Germany’s Struggle With Extremism
Germany’s historical sensitivity to far-right movements remains a defining element in its political culture. The memory of World War II and the Holocaust has shaped strict laws prohibiting Nazi symbols and incitement to hatred. Successive governments have maintained a strong legal framework to monitor extremist organizations, a stance most citizens support as crucial to preserving democratic stability.
In recent years, however, authorities have faced growing challenges tracking online radicalization and fringe groups that blur the line between populist rhetoric and extremist ideology. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has expanded surveillance of certain elements within the AfD, particularly in eastern regions where party figures have fostered ties with nationalist or identitarian networks.
The dissolution of Junge Alternative in 2023 marked a turning point in this approach, signaling the government’s intent to crack down on youth movements seen as gateways to radicalization. Critics of that decision accused the authorities of political overreach, while supporters argued it was a necessary defense against democratic backsliding.
Economic and Social Factors Fuel Discontent
Analysts note that the AfD’s ascent cannot be separated from broader socioeconomic dynamics. Hesse and surrounding regions have witnessed rising housing costs, labor shortages, and uneven economic recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic. In rural areas, frustration with what many perceive as government neglect has translated into increasing support for populist alternatives.
Economist Markus Hellwig from the University of Marburg explained that “economic anxiety remains a major driver of far-right support. People who feel economically displaced are more susceptible to narratives that identify scapegoats—whether migrants, elites, or institutions in Brussels.”
Comparable patterns have emerged across Europe, from the Freedom Party in Austria to the National Rally in France. Each has tapped into public unease over globalization, immigration, and cultural change. These dynamics continue to challenge established parties across the continent as they seek to reconcile liberal democratic values with growing voter discontent.
Comparison With European Trends
Germany’s experience mirrors a wider European struggle with populist politics. In Italy, the League has repositioned itself as a nationalist force amid debates on border control and EU authority. France’s National Rally has achieved mainstream credibility, while in the Netherlands, the Party for Freedom recently made electoral breakthroughs.
Despite these parallels, Germany’s constitutional safeguards and historical awareness have thus far prevented far-right forces from entering governing coalitions. Political scientists describe this as a “containment effect,” reinforced by media scrutiny, civic education, and broad-based mobilization by civil society.
The protests in Giessen reflected that ongoing societal resistance. Streets were adorned with banners reading “Diversity is our strength” and “No platform for hate,” signaling a determination among activists to maintain pressure against the normalization of extremism.
Aftermath and Political Repercussions
As night fell over Giessen, police successfully cleared access routes and reopened main thoroughfares. Authorities praised the majority of protesters for their peaceful conduct but warned that investigations into public order violations would continue. Hesse’s Interior Ministry announced plans to review the operational response in the coming days, citing the unprecedented scale of the mobilization.
Political analysts suggest the confrontation could further polarize debate over freedom of expression and the management of extremism within democratic systems. For the AfD, the successful launch of Generation Deutschland represents both an organizational victory and a test of legitimacy as it seeks to cultivate younger voters without repeating the mistakes that led to the Junge Alternative’s downfall.
For opponents, the clashes underscored the urgency of confronting far-right narratives through civic participation and education rather than confrontation alone. Whether this weekend’s events will temper or intensify the AfD’s appeal remains uncertain. Yet the tensions unleashed in Giessen have reaffirmed that the battle over Germany’s political future will extend far beyond a single conference hall.