Hundreds of thousands of people supported a call launched by more than 1,500 organizations across Germany this Saturday, including a wide range of groups from civil society, unions, and human rights advocates. These demonstrations occurred in 150 cities, with the largest gathering taking place in Berlin, reflecting a broad engagement from citizens who oppose far-right sentiment and policies.
The rally in Berlin carried the slogan We are the firewall, signaling a desire to shield democratic values from extremist influence. The crowd aimed to form a human presence around the Reichstag, the historic seat of Parliament, to symbolize solidarity against extremes. However, the sheer turnout, with estimates ranging up to 300,000 by organizers Campact and about half that figure by police, made the original plan to encircle the Bundestag impractical. Instead, participants were urged to join hands and stand together as a visible sign of collective resolve without attempting to close off the building.
Similar demonstrations were held in cities like Dresden and Hamburg. Beyond the anti-AfD message, the protests called on the political establishment to take stronger action against far-right elements and to bolster support for pro-asylum initiatives and humanitarian programs.
The event brought together a diverse coalition of conveners, including Amnesty International, Pro-Asyl, trade unions, faith groups, and environmental activists. Notably, while many groups participated to emphasize a citizen-led movement, political parties were not formally part of the demonstrations to underline the notion of an independent civil response. Nonetheless, representatives from parties attended in a private capacity to observe the proceedings.
Mass Reshaping of the Political Debate
The mobilization was catalyzed by reports of a political development in Potsdam, a city near Berlin, where some right-wing elements and neo-fascist networks were identified. The discussions touched on issues surrounding immigration, naturalized residents, and the broader discourse on national identity. In this broader context, the AfD remained a major but contested force in the electoral landscape. A faction within conservative circles, sometimes described as a reformist wing, announced plans that could align with the AfD on certain issues. This intra-party dynamic, alongside the emergence of new political formations, signaled a shift in the political spectrum as some groups pitched hard-line positions on asylum and related policies.
Against this backdrop, the national conversation grew more intense. The public mood reflected concern about rising anti-immigrant rhetoric and the perceived need for more robust protections for minorities and asylum seekers. As a result, polling in recent weeks showed fluctuations in support for the AfD, with some surveys indicating a dip below the 20 percent mark for the first time in months. The party nonetheless remained the second-largest group in the national legislature, trailing the conservative bloc while maintaining a gap ahead of the governing coalition’s parties, including the Social Democrats, Greens, and liberal participants.