In Erfurt, Germany, thousands of protesters attempted to disrupt the national convention of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, clashing with police in riot gear outside the meeting. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The AfD is meeting in the eastern city of Erfurt to elect its leaders, which German parties do every two years. The party seeks to show unity while extending the terms of leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who have run the party together for four years.
The demonstrations outside the convention reflect how AfD has divided Germany even as it is the nation's biggest opposition party nationally. Protesters oppose the party's anti-immigration and nationalist policies.
Clashes between police and protesters lasted several hours, but the convention started on schedule. AfD leaders Weidel and Chrupalla are running for re-election.