Berlin, a city always recognized as a symbol of democracy and freedom, witnessed protesters in the streets this time. Yesterday, with the announcement of the election results that brought the victory of the extremist party "Germany for the Future" (AfD), thousands took to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction to the authorities.
Number of Protesters: Discrepancies
The Berlin police estimated the number of protesters to be around ۵,۰۰۰, while one human rights organization reported the figure to be as high as ۱۴,۰۰۰. These protests emerged following the victory of extremists in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, where they garnered nearly ۴۴ percent of the votes. This result, according to some analysts, is considered a political earthquake in Germany.
The protesters expressed concern over the serious threat to democracy in the country. One of them, Marie-Therese Hattendorf, stated: "We are currently in a situation where democracy in our country is under serious threat." She emphasized that the time for action has come, expressing worry about the future.
Feelings of Despair and Fear for the Future
This victory of extremists has not only brought protesters to the streets but has also left many citizens feeling despair. Alice, one of the protesters, said during the demonstration: "We demand an open society where everyone feels welcome." She participated in the gathering with her child and dog.
Meanwhile, the protesters criticized the government, blaming it for its inability to manage public dissatisfaction. A ۶۸-year-old individual named Elin also remarked: "We are worried that our democracy is collapsing."
Several other regional elections are also upcoming, which are expected to impact the political fate of Germany. Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, reacted to these results by stating that she is deeply shocked and is seeking to implement reforms.
