Massive protests erupt in 150 cities in Germany ahead of snap elections on February 23: Here's why

Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Germany on Friday (February 14) ahead of the country’s federal elections on February 23.

In a little over a week, Germans are to head to the polls in what has been described as one of the country’s most crucial elections in recent history.

Protests in 150 cities

The protests, organised by the youth-led movement called Fridays for Future, drew crowds in about 150 cities, with organisers saying participation surpassed 100,000 people nationwide.

The demonstrators called for greater attention to climate issues, with activists arguing that climate change has been largely sidelined in the election campaign, overshadowed by debates on immigration and the economy, Euronews reported.

Activists say the protests are meant to pressure politicians to prioritise climate action and prevent environmental issues from being ignored at the ballot box.

Focus on right-wing AfD

In Berlin, protesters marched near parliament, holding banners that read “Right on a future, instead of a right(-wing) future,” a reference to the growing strength of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

The AfD, which has frequently dismissed climate policies, has also long criticised green policies and has pledged to block climate-related regulations if it gains influence.

The party is projected to secure around 20 per cent of the vote, making it a key player in the upcoming elections.

Last week, more than 200,000 protesters had rallied in Munich, Germany against far-right extremism in the country.

Many had carried signs against the AfD with slogans like, “Racism and hatred is not an alternative.”

Fridays for Future boosting support

According to DW, the Fridays for Future movement has been active in pro-democracy protests across the country over the past year. While climate will always be at the heart of their agenda, activists need to continue to engage with wider issues, 19-year-old Pit Terjung, a speaker for the group, said.

Terjung mentioned that it is crucial to build direct alliances across diverse groups. “We also need actors from completely other parts of society to raise their voice.”

He highlights that Fridays for Future Germany has collaborated with bus drivers and labour unions in their demonstrations. He suggests that church communities or industries, such as the steel sector, which are eager to accelerate their transformation to remain competitive, could also be motivated to advocate for climate action.