The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) concluded a two-day party conference in Erfurt, with leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla reaffirming their goal of entering government at both state and federal levels. Weidel secured 81% of the vote, while Chrupalla received 70%, a drop from previous years.

Weidel rallied the party under the German flag, declaring: "With black, red and gold, we are heading into the snap federal election with our national colors. We will stake a claim to government, because we are the strongest force." Delegates waved German flags in response.

The AfD is targeting state elections in September in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Berlin. The party believes it could win an outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt, a result that would send shockwaves through Germany. Chrupalla warned members to prepare for "disappointments and setbacks" on the path to power.

The party remains mired in scandals, including a six-year-old photo of a senior figure giving a Hitler salute and comments questioning the Germanness of non-white players on the national team. The AfD is monitored by Germany's domestic intelligence services, which consider its ethnic nationalist views unconstitutional.

Large protests against the AfD conference drew around 31,000 people in Erfurt. Police reported 60 arrests, mostly for administrative offenses. While most protests were peaceful, isolated clashes occurred, and some journalists were injured.

Separately, Germany's travel and transport arbitration board reported a record surge in complaints in the first half of 2026, with over 29,400 cases filed. Air travel accounted for 83% of complaints, driven by cancellations due to weather, strikes, and conflicts.

Source: www.dw.com