Over 3,000 protesters rally in Germany against AfD's election flyers

Around 3,500 people participated in a rally in Germany’s Karlsruhe city against the election campaign of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

 The protest was aimed at AfD's election flyers, which resembled airline tickets for the illegal deportation of migrants to their countries of origin. Law enforcement officials stated that the rally was peaceful, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The organisers claimed that about 5,000 people took part. Migrants joined the protest under the slogan "With us, not against us." The police in Germany are conducting an investigation into the election flyers of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, suspected of inciting hatred.

The investigation was prompted by reports that a so-called deportation airline ticket was shared on social media. AfD's election flyers, which resemble airline tickets, are intended for "illegal immigrants". 

The departure date listed is the day of the federal elections in Germany – February 23.   The point of departure is marked as Germany, with the destination being a "safe country of origin." A representative from the regional branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) stated that this is part of the election campaign for the Karlsruhe district branch.

Spokesman for the German government Steffen Hebestreit noted that the government refrains from making any assessments during the ongoing election campaign. He added that everything else will have to be handled by security agencies or law enforcement. 

In Germany, the AfD is referred to as a right-wing populist party. Other political forces deem cooperation with it in any coalition—whether at the federal or regional level—impossible. At the same time, according to recent public opinion polls, the AfD's rating stands at 18-20 per cent. Early parliamentary elections in Germany are scheduled for February 23.

By Naila Huseynova