BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s President has urged the formation of an extensive “alliance against extremism,” following a report on far-right discussions about deporting millions of immigrants, which sparked protests attracting hundreds of thousands.
Over two weeks, Germany witnessed significant protests against the far-right Alternative for Germany party and similar groups. According to the Interior Ministry, police estimates indicate around 576,000 individuals participated in protests from Friday to Sunday.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier convened a meeting with leaders from business and labor unions to discuss social cohesion and the state of democracy in Germany.
He praised the protests as “a strong signal for our democracy” and called for “a broad alliance across the populace, businesses, culture, and society—an alliance against extremism and in support of our democracy.”
However, Steinmeier acknowledged that such an alliance is not a standalone solution and emphasized the need for effective governance and opposition work.
The demonstrations were ignited by a report from the investigative group Correctiv, revealing that right-wing extremists had convened to consider the deportation of millions of immigrants and individuals of immigrant descent, including some German citizens. Notably, some members of the Alternative for Germany party were in attendance at this meeting.
The party, currently second in national polls and challenging the unpopular center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition, has tried to dissociate itself from the extremist gathering while criticizing the report.
The party clarified that it had no organizational or financial ties to the event and that its members attended in a personal capacity, not representing the party.
Steinmeier pointed out that over a quarter of work in Germany is performed by people whom right-wing extremists aim to expel. He also highlighted Germany’s dependence on foreign workers.
Germany’s main employer association and labor union federation jointly emphasized that everyone in Germany “must feel safe,” and underscored the need for Germany to remain a desirable location for foreign skilled workers.