Approximately 250 individuals gathered on Saturday to protest against Alice Weidel, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, in the Swiss town where she resides. This demonstration incited counter-protests in a tense environment, resulting in five arrests, according to local authorities.
Law enforcement reported that several hundred counter-protesters also assembled in Einsiedeln, where Weidel shares a home with her filmmaker partner, originally from Sri Lanka. Weidel maintains another residence in Germany.
The protesters chanted “Nazis Out” and displayed signs with messages such as “1933 Never Again,” referencing the year Adolf Hitler rose to power, as they marched through Einsiedeln to express their opposition to the AfD’s stringent immigration policies and other positions.
Opinion polls indicate that the AfD is garnering approximately 20% support and is projected to secure second place in Germany’s parliamentary election on Sunday, driven by concerns regarding immigration and dissatisfaction with the economy. Weidel, aged 46, is the party’s inaugural candidate for chancellor.
As the march progressed through the town, hundreds of local residents observed under a significant police presence, while counter-demonstrators attempted to drown out the protesters’ chants with boos.
According to police reports, five individuals were detained for carrying prohibited items or for not adhering to police directives.
The police characterized the atmosphere as tense, with some individuals engaging in physical confrontations. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and major disruptions were averted.
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During the election campaign, Weidel’s residence in Switzerland has raised questions among German journalists regarding her financial situation. This month, she asserted that she fulfills all her tax obligations in Germany.
