AfD Youth Group Launches Berlin Chapter Amid Demonstrations
The youth organization Generation Deutschland, affiliated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has officially established its Berlin branch. The formation event was held at the AfD's federal headquarters in the Reinickendorf district and was met with opposition from groups demonstrating outside the venue.
According to police reports, approximately 120 individuals gathered near the headquarters, carrying banners and signs expressing their disapproval of the new youth group and the AfD. Security measures, including barricades, were implemented to prevent any escalation. Slogans addressing issues such as racism and calls for a ban on the AfD were visible at the protest site.
Similar demonstrations took place in Brandenburg, where the youth organization set up a regional branch in Königs Wusterhausen earlier in the day. These events reflect a growing trend of public resistance to the activities of youth groups connected to the AfD, particularly in light of recent developments within the party's youth wing.
Generation Deutschland was established in November of the previous year in Gießen. The group succeeds the former Young Alternative (JA), which was dissolved after being classified as right-wing extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence agency. Unlike its predecessor, Generation Deutschland is fully integrated into the AfD's organizational structure, with party officials emphasizing a more moderate and professional public image for the new youth wing.
In Berlin, Martin Kohler has emerged as the leading candidate for heading the state chapter. Kohler currently holds a position on the AfD Berlin executive board and acts as the party's youth coordinator for the state. He also serves as a member of the district council for Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and is running for the Berlin House of Representatives in the upcoming election. Kohler previously led the now-disbanded Young Alternative in Berlin.
The formation of Generation Deutschland's Berlin branch marks a significant development in the AfD's efforts to engage younger demographics. However, the protests that accompanied both the Berlin and Brandenburg events highlight ongoing societal concerns regarding the party's youth activities and their perceived connections to far-right ideology.
Authorities have maintained a visible presence at both locations to ensure public order during the events. Organizers from the youth group have stated their intention to promote political engagement among young people, while critics continue to scrutinize the organization's links to the AfD and its previous youth wing.
The situation exemplifies the broader debate in Germany about the role of youth organizations affiliated with political parties, especially those under close observation by state agencies. The establishment of Generation Deutschland chapters in multiple regions is expected to draw continued attention from both supporters and opponents in the coming months.