Across Germany, a wave of demonstrations emerged this weekend, drawing support from a broad spectrum of society. The Fridays for Future movement and Campact reported turnout numbers that stretched from the northern to the southern and eastern borders of the country. While the total remains challenging to verify given the country’s diverse geography and the wide range of groups taking part, the gatherings clearly united many factions across the parliamentary spectrum, with the exception of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The coalition of participants included conservatives, social democrats, greens, environmental groups, refugee advocates, unions, and faith communities, all voicing concerns about the direction of governance.
Many rallies appeared spontaneously, as a kind of contagious civic momentum that none of Germany’s cities wanted to miss. The figure climbed from an initial estimate of 80 participants to roughly 150, highlighting the rapidly evolving nature of the demonstrations. In several locations, the tone grew more pointed. In Berlin, for instance, criticism of the coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz was voiced from the stage, reflecting a vibrant debate about the current administration’s policies.
In Berlin the crowd reached about 150,000, roughly mirroring the attendance in Munich. Police in Bavaria reported that the Munich rally had to be halted once capacity limits were reached, a scenario echoed in Hamburg on Friday and in Cologne and other western cities on Saturday.
Eastern Germany saw particularly strong engagement, a sign that the AfD’s regional appeal could shape the electoral landscape next September. Tens of thousands demonstrated in cities like Cottbus, Halle, and Potsdam, among others, underscoring a widespread insistence on civic rights and democratic norms across the country.
Steinmeier’s message
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke of a nationwide movement, noting that hundreds of thousands took to the streets in solidarity across Germany. He described people of all ages and backgrounds, whether German-born or naturalized, who seek a peaceful coexistence rooted in a shared future. The president stressed that these demonstrators defend the Republic, the Constitution, and democracy against its detractors, even as his official duties require him to maintain neutrality in his public role.
The protests followed revelations of a meeting involving right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis in Potsdam, which touched on the deportation of many individuals with foreign origins, including naturalized citizens. The AfD sought to minimize the involvement of some of its members in that gathering and attributed investigative reporting to political campaigns. In a country where roughly one in four residents has a foreign background, the public reaction was swift and forceful.
All of this comes as the AfD — already the second-largest party nationwide and the strongest in the eastern states — gains in the polls. The party remains politically isolated, with much of the parliamentary spectrum distancing itself. Yet within the conservative bloc, some voices call for opening dialogue. A notable example is the Union of Values, a faction that has drawn support from conservative circles and included several attendees at the Potsdam event.
In a development this weekend, leaders within that faction announced plans to establish their own party. If formalized, the move could give the AfD a potential ally from the broader conservative camp that remains outside the main opposition and could influence future votes.