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Democracy under pressure: Protests against AfD event in Bad Dürkheim!
On January 17, 2026, numerous initiatives in Bad Dürkheim protested against an AfD event in the Salierhalle.
Democracy under pressure: Protests against AfD event in Bad Dürkheim!
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, Bad Dürkheim will be transformed into a center of political debate. The AfD is holding an election campaign event in the Salierhalle, which sparked heated discussions in advance. Led by Christoph Glogger, the former mayor of Bad Dürkheim, numerous organizations and parties are calling for a protest rally. Glogger describes the AfD as a serious threat to democracy and emphasizes the importance of diversity in society. He emphasizes that this is not just a political difference, but about the values on which our society is based.
The planned counter-demo has the motto “The Palatinate remains colorful” and begins at 11 a.m. on the Wurstmarktplatz with a “Market of Democracy”. Various stands from initiatives, youth organizations and churches will be set up here. The well-known “Grandmas Against the Right” and the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB) are also involved. Rüdiger Stein, chairman of the DGB Palatinate, will also address a few words against the AfD and its demands for participation in the crowd. The police in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse are expecting around 500 participants at this counter-event, while the AfD itself is expecting 500 to 600 visitors, with the party even stating over a thousand people are interested.
Protests and political discourse
The city administration of Bad Dürkheim has been criticized for approving the AfD event. A spokeswoman for the city emphasizes that the city is not acting as an organizer and that approval was necessary in accordance with Article 21 of the Basic Law. The Salierhalle, in which the AfD hosts its event, is leased to Salinenhotel GmbH, which ultimately decides on the rental.
However, the protest against the AfD is not just a one-off event. Over 50 individuals, including representatives from various initiatives, parties and churches, met last Sunday to organize their counter-movement. It turns out that a united front is being formed in Bad Dürkheim against the clash between the AfD, which brings the value of democracy into focus.
A look at the AfD
The AfD itself recently presented its election campaign for the state elections in Rhineland-Palatinate, which are scheduled for March 2026, and is aiming for the 20 percent mark. The main topics include calls for a stricter migration policy and a return to nuclear energy. The party's prominent figures, including Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, also announced major events in the region.
In this context, it is also interesting to mention that Nicolaus Fest, a controversial figure within the AfD, is no longer a member of the party. This is reported by ZDF, among others, which points to the internal disputes in the party. Fest had given up his membership card last year and spoke of possible intrigues against him within the AfD. Such tensions within the party could have an impact on upcoming events and the general perception of the AfD.
The situation surrounding the election campaign event in Bad Dürkheim remains exciting. The dialogue between different political camps will unfold next Saturday and will certainly make waves.