On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Berlin witnessed a significant demonstration against the far-right, with organizers anticipating tens of thousands of participants. The protest commenced at 3:30 pm (14:30 GMT) outside the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament building, and proceeded towards the headquarters of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.Â
This demonstration followed a series of nationwide protests on Saturday, February 1, where over 220,000 individuals marched in cities including Hamburg, Leipzig, Cologne, and Stuttgart. The protests were sparked by the CDU’s recent engagement with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, particularly their collaboration on a bill aimed at tightening immigration controls. This partnership has raised concerns about the potential normalization of far-right influence in German politics.Â
The protests reflect widespread public apprehension regarding the CDU’s overtures towards the AfD and the implications for Germany’s political landscape. Demonstrators have expressed their opposition to any form of collaboration with far-right factions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining democratic values and social cohesion.
