The authorities in Germany are mobilizing for the 50,000 expected protesters at the AfD congress.

The German city of Erfurt, in the state of Thuringia, is preparing for a tense weekend, with demonstrations scheduled against the far-right party congress of Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla will present their candidacies for re-election. The Thuringian police have announced the deployment of thousands of agents in the area of the exhibition center, where the congress will take place, anticipating protests organized by progressive and pro-EU groups, including the Left and the Greens. The latter aim to send a message in favor of diversity. It is estimated that between 35,000 and 50,000 people will participate in the protests, including left-wing extremists, which has led some businesses to temporarily close.

Left-wing parties believe that the date and location of the congress are not coincidental, referring to the Nazi Party congress in Weimar, which took place 100 years ago. At the congress, Weidel and Chrupalla will run for re-election, and Bjorn Hocke may propose relaxing the party's list of incompatibilities.