The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has begun a two-day conference in the eastern city of Erfurt, with thousands of protesters marching and blocking roads in opposition to the event.

Delegates are voting on party leadership, with current co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla expected to retain their positions. Recent polls show the anti-immigrant AfD has become Germany's most popular party nationwide, with 27-29% support, clearly ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling conservatives.

Protesters have been demonstrating since Saturday morning, attempting to cut off access to the conference venue. Erfurt is the capital of Thuringia, a state where AfD enjoys some of its highest polling numbers and is the largest faction in the regional parliament, though the state is governed by a broad coalition of the CDU, SPD, and left-wing populist BSW.

Thuringia is considered a stronghold of the AfD's more extremist wing, centered around lawmaker Björn Höcke. The state branch was classified as an extremist organization by Germany's federal constitutional protection agency in 2021.

Separately, over 200 firefighters are battling a major blaze at a market in Stuttgart. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed deep concern over reports that China is allegedly training Russian soldiers, stating that Berlin is ready to defend its core interests.

Source: www.dw.com