Over 10,000 people protest in Cologne against the far-right AfD

More than 10,000 people took to the streets of Cologne on Tuesday to protest against the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The area around Heumarkt in the centre of Germany’s fourth biggest city was “completely packed,” a police spokesman said.

The AfD, which reminds some Germans of the Nazi regime, has been gaining support in national and regional opinion polls and could emerge as the largest party in three state elections in the former East Germany in September.

But recent revelations that AfD officials were reportedly at a far-right meeting in November with a group advocating the repatriation of people with non-German heritage has horrified many.

A dpa reporter at the scene of the protest in Cologne described a peaceful atmosphere with live music, EU flags and rainbow banners.

Slogans on placards included “We are colourful! There are more of us” and “AfD – paving the way for fascism.”

Another placard read: “Nazis secretly eat Döner” while protesters called for a ban on the AfD to be considered by the government and parliament. The party is already under surveillance by the intelligence services.

Around 1,600 people also demonstrated against the surging AfD and the far-right in the northern city of Schwerin on Tuesday. Other protests had taken place in numerous Germany cities at the weekend.

Protesters demonstrate against the AfD and right-wing extremism with placards and chants on the market square in Schwerin. Ulrich Perrey/dpa