February 2, 2025 - Germany witnessed extensive protests today as tens of thousands of citizens rallied against the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party's collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on immigration policies. Police reported around 160,000 participants in Berlin alone, while organizers claimed the number reached approximately 250,000. Demonstrations were also significant in Saarbrücken, Kiel, and various other cities.
In Cologne, a unique protest took place on the water, with numerous athletes navigating the Rhine River aboard 350 boats, displaying messages such as 'No to Racism' and 'For Democracy and Diversity.' This marked a historic first for waterborne protests in the region.
The protests were spurred by CDU's candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who faced criticism for his party's shift toward the AfD. Demonstrators expressed their outrage with slogans targeting Merz, including phrases like 'Better without Merz than without heart' and 'CDU, give us back the C.' The protests were organized by the civic movement 'Campact.'
Michel Friedman, a prominent publicist and former CDU member, spoke at the Berlin rally, emphasizing the importance of democracy while condemning the AfD's extremist views. He argued that the CDU's recent actions could not be justified.
Similar protests had occurred the previous day across various German cities, with around 65,000 participants in Hamburg and significant turnouts in Essen, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. The upcoming federal elections on February 23 have placed immigration at the forefront of political discourse in Germany.
In a related note, former chancellor Angela Merkel criticized Merz's strategy, highlighting her own history of welcoming immigrants during her tenure. Her public disapproval came as a rare intervention in current CDU politics.
Amid the protests, clashes were reported between demonstrators and police in some areas, particularly where AfD events were targeted. Authorities noted that officers faced aggression, including fireworks and projectiles, necessitating mounted police intervention.