Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) showcased political confidence and defiance on Saturday as it officially launched a new youth organization—even as thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Giessen, blocking roads, clashing with police, and attempting to shut down the party’s convention.
What was meant to be a celebratory unveiling of “Generation Germany,” AfD’s new under-36 youth wing, quickly turned into one of the most chaotic and politically charged days the city has seen in years. The volatile scene underscored both AfD’s meteoric rise—and the fierce resistance it continues to provoke across Germany.
Protest Mayhem Delays Meeting as Police Deploy Water Cannons and Pepper Spray
The party’s national convention was scheduled to begin Saturday morning but started more than two hours late after groups of protesters formed blockades throughout Giessen. Demonstrators sat on roads, locked arms, and attempted to halt the arrival of AfD delegates.
Police reported stone-throwing incidents at at least one location, prompting officers to use pepper spray. At another blockade of roughly 2,000 protesters, police deployed water cannons after repeated orders to disperse went ignored.
Throughout the afternoon, tensions remained high. Protesters attempted to push through security barriers near the event center, leading officers to again use water cannons to prevent a breach.
Officials say up to 5,000 police officers were deployed to maintain order—an extraordinary number for a city of just 93,000 people. Around 10 to 15 officers were lightly injured, according to police. By early afternoon, authorities estimated the total number of protesters in the “lower five-digit range.”
Though many demonstrators remained peaceful, the violent outbreaks overshadowed the broader turnout.
AfD Leaders Blast Protests as ‘Deeply Undemocratic’
Inside the convention hall, AfD leaders wasted no time accusing their opponents of anti-democratic behavior.
“What is being done out there… is deeply undemocratic,” party co-leader Alice Weidel declared to applause from delegates. She claimed that one AfD lawmaker had been attacked—something police confirmed, though they did not immediately release details.
The mood inside contrasted sharply with the disorder outside: AfD presented itself as a party rising in strength, legitimacy, and electoral momentum despite ongoing hostility from mainstream politics and activist networks.
A New Youth Wing After Dissolving a Troubled Predecessor
Saturday’s convention marked the official birth of Generation Germany, the party’s new youth organization designed for members under 36. Its creation follows the dissolution of the Young Alternative in March—a group long marred by allegations of right-wing extremism and only loosely connected to the main party structure.
The decision to shut down the Young Alternative came after Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classified it as a “proven right-wing extremist organization.” Courts described the group’s ideology as centered on preserving an “ethnically defined German people” and excluding the “ethnically foreign”—language echoing extremist identitarian movements.
AfD itself was later labeled a suspected extremist organization, though the designation is currently suspended as the party challenges it in court.
With Generation Germany, AfD promises stricter oversight, tighter integration, and a fresh start.
“We should have taken more care of the young new hopes in our party,” co-leader Tino Chrupalla said. “It will be different in the future.”
AfD Riding High Nationally Despite Wall of Opposition
Despite intense public resistance, the AfD remains one of the most powerful forces in German politics. The party finished second in national elections in February with over 20% of the vote, becoming Germany’s largest opposition party.
Its rise is fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government and voter frustration over migration, economic stagnation, and energy policy. Still, major parties across the political spectrum maintain a formal “firewall” against cooperating with AfD at any level.
Saturday’s demonstrations reflect that ongoing struggle: a party energizing millions of voters while simultaneously triggering mass counter-movements determined to halt its advance.
A Nation Watching a Deepening Political Divide
Giessen’s dramatic clashes highlight a Germany grappling with a widening ideological gulf. AfD leaders portray themselves as victims of political suppression; activists warn of creeping extremism entering the mainstream.
As AfD builds a new generation of loyal activists through Generation Germany, the protests show that their opponents are equally committed to stopping them.
The showdown in Giessen was not just about a youth wing—it was a fierce preview of Germany’s escalating political confrontation, one that will shape the country’s future far beyond this weekend.