Protesters have injured a police officer while trying to block the hotel in Cologne where the nationalist Alternative for Germany party is holding a two-day convention.

Hundreds of demonstrators are trying to keep AfD party members from entering their convention centre - leading to a a massive police presence.

Around 50,000 left-wing protesters are expected and about 4,000 police officers are on the ground in Cologne to prevent a violent escalation of anti-populist rallies.

The convention takes place days after AfD's co-leader Frauke Petry, who is Germany's best-known nationalist politician, said that she won't be her party's top candidate in the September general election.

The decision appears to reflect a growing split among its leading figures. </s> BERLIN (AP) - Protesters have injured one police officer while trying to block the hotel in Cologne where the nationalist Alternative for Germany party is holding a two-day convention.

The German news agency dpa reported Saturday that AfD party members could enter their convention center only with massive police protection because hundreds of demonstrators tried to keep them out.

Around 50,000 left-wing protesters are expected and about 4,000 police officers are on the ground in Cologne to prevent a violent escalation of anti-populist rallies.

The convention takes place days after AfD's co-leader Frauke Petry, who is Germany's best-known nationalist politician, said that she won't be her party's top candidate in the September general election, a decision that appears to reflect a growing split among its leading figures. </s> There has been at least one arrest.

Two police officers were injured in the clashes, one while escorting party members.

Left-wing protesters were demonstrating against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is holding a conference in the city.

Protesters and police have clashed in Cologne at a demonstration outside a nationalist convention.

At least 4,000 police officers were trying to control the situation and keep protesters away from the hotel where the meeting is taking place.

It is thought around 10,000 protesters turned up to demonstrate.

The AfD is meeting to choose a new co-leader ahead of the election later this year.

The convention takes place days after AfD's co-leader Frauke Petry, who is Germany's best-known nationalist politician, said that she won't be her party's top candidate in the September general election, a decision that appears to reflect a growing split among its leading figures.

Support for the party, which attacks Chancellor Angela Merkel for having allowed more than a million migrants into Germany in the last two years, has tumbled in recent months. </s> Protesters have marched on the streets in Cologne to show their opposition to Germany's AfD party, as it met for talks ahead of September's election.

COLOGNE, GERMANY—Divisions among German nationalists erupted Saturday as delegates from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party rejected an appeal by one of their leaders to seek a pragmatic political path instead of turning into a “fundamental opposition” party.

While tensions brewed inside the AfD party convention in the western German city of Cologne, outside the hotel hundreds of left-wing demonstrators tried to block about 600 AfD party members from entering. The delegates needed massive police protection to get into the convention, and protesters injured one police officer Saturday morning while trying to block the hotel.

Authorities had 4,000 police officers on the ground to prevent a violent escalation of anti-populist rallies by an expected 50,000 left-wing protesters.

Speaking before AfD members, nationalist politician Frauke Petry said the party needed to set the course for a “spiritual-moral change” in Germany and the rest of Europe. But a majority of the delegates rejected a vote on the party’s future path that she had suggested.

In comparison, Joerg Meuthen, a more far-right party leader who is one of Petry’s rivals, was cheered strongly when he lashed out at German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her government’s migration policy. </s> Two police officers were injured and a car was set ablaze when violent protests broke out in Cologne, where the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party (AfD) is holding a convention.

Up to 15,000 demonstrators and hard-left activists gathered in the city, with around 4,000 officers, many clad in riot gear or on horseback, deployed to prevent the escalation of anti-populist rallies.

Some 600 AfD delegates are meeting to discuss policy for September's national elections, but could only enter the convention centre under heavy police protection as protesters tried to keep them out.

The two-day convention takes place days after AfD's co-leader Frauke Petry, Germany's best-known nationalist politician, said she will not be her party's top candidate in the general election – an apparent reflection of a growing split among leading party figures.

A spokesman for the Cologne police said the situation in the western German city was “very dynamic” and “fairly aggressive” in some areas.

He said police stopped about 100 protesters early on Saturday for identity checks, but they were not detained.

Broadcaster n-tv showed a group of around 50 people clashing with police on horses, and a television correspondent said police used pepper spray against some of the demonstrators.

The AfD, which rails against Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to welcome over a million migrants over the past two years, is polling between eight to 10 percent support ahead of the election.

That is enough to give the party seats in parliament for the first time, but well below peak support seen in late 2016.

In her opening speech, before which she received a standing ovation from some party members, Ms Petry signalled she was willing to make compromises on her controversial motion for the party's future strategy.

Ms Petry has upset many within the party by introducing a motion in which she said the AfD should aim to join coalitions in future and govern, instead of being a “fundamental” opposition party that only made provocative statements.

But a majority of delegates voted around midday against discussing her motion. </s> Image copyright EPA Image caption Delegates to the conference had to be escorted by police officers in riot gear

The populist, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) has rejected a bid by its co-leader to move the party closer to the mainstream.

Frauke Petry had wanted the AfD to seek coalition with other parties and reject extremist views but delegates in Cologne rejected her approach.

She has announced she will not contest general elections this year and the party must choose a replacement.

Outside the conference protesters clashed with police.

Up to 15,000 people demonstrated against the AfD's meeting, with some 4,000 officers deployed to stop them entering the hotel where is was taking place.

Two were injured in clashes, one while escorting party members. There were several reports of arrests.

Many shops were closed for the day and police helicopters were heard overhead, with some suggesting this was to monitor the protests.

About 100 people tried to break through a police line on the opposite side of the Rhine river from the conference venue, Die Welt newspaper reports (in German).

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Thousands rallied against the AfD's meeting in Cologne

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Most of the anti-AfD protest was peaceful

Outside the hotel, up to 60 people blocked access using a chain of bicycles. Police broke this up, leading to skirmishes with protesters.

It is not the first time an AfD conference has attracted demonstrations. When the party met last year in Stuttgart, hundreds of protesters were detained.

'Here to stay'

AfD co-leader and public face Frauke Petry announced earlier this week that she would not be the party's chief candidate in the September general election.

At the conference Ms Petry urged the party to reject infighting and unite behind the leadership, to prove the AfD was "here to stay".

But those attending refused even to hold a debate on her arguments that the party should become more mainstream and seek to govern in coalition rather than staying in opposition.

Fractious scenes: BBC's Jenny Hill in Cologne

Thousands of armed police officers were deployed to hold protesters back from the city centre hotel where Germany's most controversial party was holding its pre-election conference. Inside, the atmosphere was no less fractious.

The AfD, which is notorious for its fierce anti-Islam rhetoric, is slipping in the polls. The anti-immigrant platform which won it support during the refugee crisis is no longer enough to satisfy the electorate.

The party is on course to win seats in the general election but its chances of significant political success depend now on whether its members can agree on a candidate to stand against Angela Merkel and on the party's future direction.

While this weekend is officially a party conference, in truth it will be a weekend of crisis talks.

The party pushed Mrs Merkel's governing conservatives into third place in a regional election last year and hopes to build on its success by getting its first seats in the federal parliament.

Founded in 2013, it rose on a wave of opposition to Mrs Merkel's 2015 open-door policy to refugees.

However, all the mainstream parties have said they will refuse to form a coalition with the AfD.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Frauke Petry, the AfD's most-recognisable face, is due to have her fifth child

Opinion polls suggest a sharp recent drop in the party's popularity - from 15% late last year to between 7% and 11% now.

It is beset by infighting between Ms Petry's pragmatic wing and a wing that is further to the right.

The party's reputation has been dented by a local leader's comments in January that the Holocaust memorial in Berlin was a "memorial of shame".

The party has voted to expel him and he will not be allowed to attend the conference. </s> Supporters of the nationalist Alternative for Germany party marched through central Berlin to protest against Chancellor Angela Merkel's government on Sunday, while a heavy police presence kept the marchers away from a raft of counter-demonstrations.

Police said several thousand people turned out for the demonstration organized by Alternative for Germany, known by its German acronym AfD.

A variety of counter-demonstrations attracted several thousand participants each, police said.

The AfD event opened with German flags, placards such as "No Islam in Germany" and chants of "Merkel must go" at Berlin's central train station. </s> Supporters of the nationalist Alternative for Germany party have marched through central Berlin to protest against Chancellor Angela Merkel ’s government.

Supporters of the nationalist Alternative for Germany party have marched through central Berlin to protest against Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government.

Police said several thousand people turned out for the demonstration organised by Alternative for Germany, known by its German acronym AfD. A variety of counter-demonstrations attracted several thousand participants each, police said.

The AfD event opened with German flags, placards such as “No Islam in Germany” and chants of “Merkel must go” at Berlin’s central train station. The party’s supporters marched from the rally toward the landmark Brandenburg Gate.

Some of the counter-protesters took to rafts on the Spree river, within sight of the train station. Activists protest against racism on ships on the Spree river in Berlin (Markus Schreiber/AP) Groups organising protests against AfD included artists and a coalition of Berlin music clubs hoping to “blow away” the party with loud techno beats.

About 2,000 police officers were in place to prevent trouble, including reinforcements from other parts of Germany. AfD won 12.6% of the vote to enter Germany’s national parliament last year on anti-migrant and anti-establishment sentiment.

It is now the largest of four opposition parties after the country’s two biggest parties finally agreed to continue a centrist “grand coalition” under Ms Merkel earlier this year.

An AfD regional leader, Andreas Kalbitz, proclaimed that “this is a signal” and argued that it shows “AfD is the centre of society”. </s> Tensions run high as thousands descend on Cologne to protest against conference of far-right, anti-immigration party.

More than 50,000 demonstrators are expected to descend on Cologne on Saturday to protest the far-right populist, anti-immigration politics of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), as the party holds one of the most important conferences in its four-year history.

The AfD is hoping to enter parliament for the first time in Germany's general election on 24 September.

About 4,000 police officers have been deployed to avert clashes on the city's streets between anti-AfD protesters and party supporters. Scuffles broke out early on Saturday between police and anti-AfD demonstrators.

 

Around 600 AfD delegates are expected to attend the conference. The central city hotel, where the conference is being held, has made arrangements to allow staff members to stay overnight in the hotel to minimise problems with gaining entry to the venue.

OPINION: Angela Merkel is not the great progressive messiah

Hannelore Kraft, state premier of North-Rhine Westphalia, where the conference is taking place, and Green party leader Cem Ozdemir are due to speak at an anti-AfD rally on Saturday.

The two-day conference comes just days after AfD leader Frauke Petry ruled herself out of spearheading the party's campaign for the September election.

Her dramatic move brought to a head a long-running internal party power struggle, which pitted Petry against the party's right-wingers.

The AfD delegates attending the conference are likely to sign off on the party's election manifesto but will have to set aside months of tensions and turmoil to agree on a team to lead the campaign.

Petry has also placed a controversial motion before congress calling on the party to adopt a realpolitik approach, with the aim of transforming the AfD into a mainstream party open to coalition.

Founded in 2013 on a eurosceptic platform, the AfD has railed against Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to let in more than one million refugees to Germany since 2015.

In May 2016 AfD backed an election manifesto that says Islam is not compatible with the German constitution and the party also supported a call to ban minarets on mosques and the full-face veil.

AfD made huge gains in a state election in September, receiving about 21 percent of votes in the eastern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region, beating Merkel's party to take second place.

Rising anti-refugee rhetoric has been matched by rising violence against refugees in Germany.

The interior minister said in February that Germany recorded more than 3,500 attacks in total against refugees, migrants and their shelters in 2016, amounting to nearly 10 acts of violence a day: a sharp rise on previous years.

But AfD's populairity has declined as the number of new refugee arrivals has dwindled, mainly due to border closures on the Balkan overland route and an EU deal with Turkey to stem the flow.

All of Germany's mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD should it clear the five-percent hurdle to representation in the election. 

 

Opinion polls show the AfD at between seven and 11 percent, a steep drop from the 15 percent support it drew only late last year.

Al Jazeera's Paul Brennan, reporting from Cologne, said it was questionnable whether the AfD would make it into parliament in the upcoming elections.

"In recent months they've had internal divisions, which have hamstrung them a little bit," said Brennan. "And the other thing is that, as they have grown, opposition against them has also grown."

OPINION: 'Control' is the new core of Germany's refugee policy

Brennan said that, while the party as a whole has generally tried to avoid controversy, many individual AfD members have publicly taken positions that many find offensive.

"The feeling among many critics is that individuals within the party are essentially neo-Nazis, and clearly in Germany that's a very sensitive issue," Brennan said.

Some scuffles had already occurred on Saturday between protesters and police - most of whom are in full riot gear - as tensions were high in the city, which is regarded as widely liberal.

"People are very angry that the AfD are here, they are determined to try to stop delegates reaching the hotel. It's going to be a very tense day," Brannan said. </s> Police in Cologne. The city is to deploy some 4,000 officers for the AfD conference. Photo: DPA.

The Cathedral City of Cologne is ramping up security ahead of the far-right AfD's party conference at the weekend, including around 4,000 police officers and a four-day no-fly zone over the city centre.

Police and German aviation security officials announced that the no-fly zone will be in place from Thursday until Monday, while the party conference is set to take place on Saturday and Sunday.

More than 4,000 officers will also be deployed for the occasion, according to local newspaper Rheinische Post.

Part of the security concern is that officials expect some 50,000 protesters - including left-wing extremists - to descend upon the city to counter the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), with organizers calling for participants to “block” the party conference at a central hotel as a form of “civil disobedience”.

The no-fly zone will apply to almost all flights, including model airplanes and unmanned aviation devices. The only exceptions made will be for German military and police aircraft, as well as for any rescue or emergency aircraft. The ban also excludes flights following aviation regulations that are going exclusively to and from Cologne-Bonn airport, or to and from Nörvenich, where these is an air base.

Police posted an image on Facebook displaying the no-fly zone's boundaries.

Those who violate the ban will be charged under German aviation law for an offense punishable by up to two years in jail, or a fine.

The far-right party’s conference will also be a test of the AfD’s strength as it has struggled with a bitter power struggle which threatens to scupper its bid to win its first seats in the Bundestag (German parliament) in September.

Once riding high in the wake of Germany's record refugee influx, the upstart party has seen its support plunge into single digits in most polls from around 15 percent half a year ago amid open hostilities between populists and radicals.

In just a taste of the drama expected at the weekend, AfD co-leader Frauke Petry made the bombshell announcement on Wednesday that she would not stand to become the party's official standard bearer heading into the September 24th general election, as she demanded its rival factions adopt a common strategy.

"The image of the AfD keeps getting determined by the uncoordinated extreme provocations of a few representatives who keep surprising the party leadership," she said in a video message on Facebook.

The telegenic public face of the AfD, Petry has become embroiled in infighting as she attempts to cast herself as the moderate, "middle-class" alternative to officials whose outbursts have sparked national outrage for perceived antisemitism and racism.

In Cologne Petry will ask delegates to reject a "strategy of fundamental opposition" to the parties in power and adopt her own pragmatic "Realpolitik" which she argues will attract mainstream voters with the goal of taking the reins of government by 2021.

Petry's decision not to stand as the party's main candidate for the general election - a largely symbolic role - was widely seen as an attempt to avoid an embarrassing showdown at the congress.

"Shortly before their party congress, the AfD is the picture of strife," national daily Süddeutsche Zeitung said.

"That reflects the essence of a party that would like to present itself as middle class but has a method of breaking taboos, provoking and spurning civility."

The AfD has become Germany's most successful right-wing populist party of the post-war period.

Unlike far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in France, its leaders have no foreseeable chance of winning the general election in Germany, where Chancellor Angela Merkel is seeking a fourth term after nearly 12 years in power.

But while all mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD, it could clinch enough votes to complicate the post-election maths of forming a ruling coalition.

The AfD was founded as an anti-euro party in 2013, but failed in that year's general election to cross the five-percent hurdle to representation.

Seizing on popular anxiety over the influx of more than one million refugees and migrants since 2015, however, it managed to capture seats in 11 of Germany's 16 regional legislatures.

Following the victories of the Brexit campaign and Donald Trump on waves of anti-establishment sentiment, analysts predicted the AfD would easily enter the national parliament.

But Petry's rise made her both a media star and a red rag for envious party colleagues.

"She is a clever as quicksilver but she's not popular among the delegates because of her blind ambition," Hajo Funke, political scientist at Berlin's Free University, told AFP.

Petry, 41, who is pregnant with her fifth child, has allied herself with hard-right leaders such as Le Pen and Geert Wilders of the Dutch anti-Islam Freedom Party.

But the AfD has lost momentum as the number of new refugee arrivals to Germany has dwindled over the last several months.

The Social Democrats (SPD), junior partners in Merkel's governing coalition, have also managed to claw back some support since appointing a new Merkel challenger, former European Parliament president Martin Schulz.

Schulz has been cast as a maverick in the media and by his party, allowing him to attract voters disenchanted by the Merkel era and squeeze out the AfD's protest-party message.

Funke said Trump's presidency, looming Brexit and the threat to Europe posed by Le Pen have served as a wake-up call for German voters, who may be losing their appetite for radical change.

"The AfD would be fatal for German identity with its strong links to Europe and the country's status as an export nation. That will become even clearer as the election approaches."

With reporting and writing by Deborah Cole, AFP.
Thousands of German riot police are deployed to control protesters opposing the Alternative for Germany at the party's conference in Cologne.