Thousands of protestors blocked a meeting in Giessen on Saturday, delaying the launch of the new youth wing of Germany\u2019s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The demonstration forced the party to postpone proceedings, which were initially scheduled to begin at 10 am.<\/p>\n
A meeting intended to launch the new youth wing of Germany\u2019s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was delayed on Saturday after thousands of protestors blocked access to the venue.<\/p>\n
From early morning, anti-AfD demonstrators descended on the town of Giessen, with police also deployed in large numbers. One of the protest groups, Resist, said it had blocked multiple routes leading to the meeting and had gathered some 15,000 participants.<\/p>\n
The AfD meeting, initially scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), had not started as of 11:30 a.m. \u201cProceedings have not yet started due to the protests,\u201d party spokesman Michael Pfalzgraf told AFP.<\/p>\n
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When it does take place, attendees are expected to vote on the new youth wing\u2019s leadership, statutes, name, and logo.<\/p>\n
AfD and its far-right youth movement<\/p>\n
The anti-immigration AfD became Germany\u2019s main opposition party in February\u2019s general election, securing a record 20 percent of the vote. The party hopes to strengthen its foothold in state elections next year, particularly in its eastern strongholds.<\/p>\n
The new youth organisation will replace the Junge Alternative (JA), which was disbanded by the AfD earlier this year after being classified as an extremist group by intelligence services. The JA had repeatedly been embroiled in controversy, including racist chants and meetings with neo-Nazi groups.<\/p>\n
\u2018Generation Deutschland\u2019 set to lead<\/p>\n
The new youth wing is expected to be called Generation Deutschland or Youth Germania, with members deciding whether to adopt a proposed logo featuring an eagle, a cross, and Germany\u2019s national colours of black, red, and gold.<\/p>\n
Jean-Pascal Hohm, a 28-year-old AfD state lawmaker from eastern Germany with longstanding links to far-right and ethno-nationalist groups, is likely to become its first leader.<\/p>\n
Inside the hall, stalls offered delegates \u2014 overwhelmingly men \u2014 merchandise including protein powder, mugs, and T-shirts featuring images of AfD leaders.<\/p>\n
Kevin Potthast, a 34-year-old electrician active in local AfD politics, said he attended the meeting because \u201cthe country is in a bad way and something has to change. It\u2019s important to get young people involved, as they are the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Counter-protestor Irina Gildt, 28, told AFP that she joined the demonstration to promote diversity and resist intimidation. \u201cThat\u2019s worth getting up early for,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Far-right scrutiny<\/p>\n
In May, Germany\u2019s domestic security service classified the AfD as a \u201cright-wing extremist\u201d organisation, prompting calls for a ban. The party has challenged the designation in court.<\/p>\n
Observers expect the new youth wing to be at least as radical as the JA. Fabian Virchow of the University of D\u00fcsseldorf said: \u201cThe leading figures come from a far-right milieu, in which former activists from the Identitarian Movement, fraternities, neo-Nazism and ethno-nationalist groups come together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unlike the JA, which operated relatively independently, its successor will be more closely integrated into the AfD and subject to party disciplinary structures. Stefan Marschall of Heinrich Heine University in D\u00fcsseldorf noted: \u201cThis gives the party leadership control over this branch of the organisation and helps it present a more unified front. However, this comes at the cost of the party no longer being able to completely credibly distance itself from the youth organisation should it adopt problematic positions.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The youth wing is expected to assert its independence from day one. One motion up for vote states: \u201cThe new youth organisation should neither blindly follow the parent party nor serve as a lapdog for the federal or state executive committees of the parent party.\u201d<\/p>\n