Thousands protest against far-right rally in Germany

Thousands of people demonstrated against a convention held by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) yesterday as political parties launched their campaigns for next month's national election.

- FANNY BRODERSEN, GEIR MOULSON

A heavy police presence was in place in Riesa - in the eastern state of Saxony, an AfD stronghold - and officers cleared some protesters from the streets.

However, the two-day conference started a little over two hours late as many delegates' trips to the venue were slowed by blockades. AfD formally nominated co-leader Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor. She thanked delegates for "defying the left-wing mob".

Polls show AfD in second place ahead of the 23 February election, with about 20 per cent support. However, Ms Weidel who this week held a live broadcast chat with tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has endorsed the party - has no realistic chance of becoming Germany's leader as other parties refuse to work with AfD.

It is the mainstream conservative opposition Union bloc that leads polls with around 30 per cent and its candidate, Friedrich Merz, is the favourite to become the next chancellor.