German police clash with protesters at AfD national convention

German police clashed with demonstrators on Saturday as the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) convened its national party congress in Dresden. The gathering, which attracted senior party officials and delegates, was met by a coalition of left‑wing activists and anti‑far‑right groups who assembled outside the venue to protest the party’s policies. Police reported that several hundred protesters attempted to breach the security perimeter, prompting officers to intervene with batons and pepper spray; at least twelve arrests were made and dozens of participants were taken to medical facilities for minor injuries.

Authorities said the police response was proportionate and aimed at preventing violence and protecting public order. The AfD’s leadership condemned the disruptions, describing them as an attempt to silence democratic debate, while protest organizers characterized the police action as excessive. The incident underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the party’s rise and its polarising role in German politics, with law‑enforcement agencies remaining on high alert for further unrest during the convention’s proceedings.