STORY: Civil society organisations hosted a "Festival for Democracy" in Magdeburg on Saturday (September 5), a day ahead of the state-level elections in Saxony-Anhalt with an expected breakthrough for the far-right AfD.

The party is hoping to win power for the first time and mark a historic shift in German politics, whereas its opponents are fearful of divisive and authoritarian policies in case of an AfD ruled state.

Participant Martin Siebach told Reuters: "I work at the university and fear that a potential AfD government might adopt a stance that is extremely hostile to science."

Russian Ilya Makarovy said he feared policies similar to those he left behind in his native Russia could take place in Germany in case of an AfD win.

According to the organisers, the event to counter the party's stand was attended by 15,000 people, who marched through the city and gathered for a musical program at Magdeburg's cathedral's square.

Opinion polls in the state have put support for the AfD, which wants to restrict immigration, restore ties with Russia and quit the euro, at more than 40%, 15 to 20 points ahead of the CDU, which rules in a coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and pro-free-market Free Democrats (FDP).

The AfD sees Saxony-Anhalt, which will be followed by two other state elections in the north-eastern region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and in Berlin this month, as a stepping stone to victory in national elections due in 2029.

Exit polls for the Saxony-Anhalt state election will be released on Sunday at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT).

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: MAGDEBURG, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 5, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PEOPLE GATHERING FOR MARCH

2. SIGN READING (German) "GRANDMOTHERS AGAINST THE RIGHT - YOUR ANCESTORS WERE MIGRANTS TOO"

3. POLICE OFFICERS

4. SIGN WITH POPULAR GERMAN CARTOON CHARACTER READING (German) "RACISTS? EWW"

5. PEOPLE GATHERING FOR MARCH

6. SIGN READING "AFD PROHIBITION NOW"

7. TROLLEY WITH GERMANY FLAGS

8. TROLLEY WITH GERMANY FLAGS AND SIGN READING "450,000 PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF (CHANCELLOR) FRIEDRICH MERZ"

9. STAND WITH GERMANY FLAGS

10. SIGN IN GERMANY COLOURS WITH JOKE, READING (German) "DON'T LIE, DON'T BETRAY, DON'T STEAL, THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT YOU AS THEIR COMPETITION"

11. PROTEST MARCH IN FAVOUR OF DEMOCRACY AND DIVERSITY ONGOING, WITH BANNER READING "DIVERS, DEMOCRATIC, IN SOLIDARITY"

12. VARIOUS OF MARCH ONGOING

13. TWO PEOPLE HOLDING BANNER READING (German) "WE DON'T WANT THE AFD"

14. (SOUNDBITE) (German) PARTICIPANT LUKAS HAHNDORF, SAYING:

"We simply want to show that the people of Saxony-Anhalt aren’t quite so hopeless after all. That there are still cool people here who take to the streets, who speak out in support of diversity and respect, and who won’t just accept whatever might happen here tomorrow."

15. (SOUNDBITE) (German) PARTICIPANT LISA (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"We’re here to support Saxony-Anhalt. We’ve come all the way from Hanover ourselves; we’ve got local elections next week, next Sunday. And we can clearly see that help is needed here. We’re here to stand up to the far right. It’s as simple as that." / (SOUNDBITE) (German) PARTICIPANT ALEX (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"Exactly, simply supporting democracy, human rights, openness and a cosmopolitan outlook."

16. (SOUNDBITE) (German) PARTICIPANT FROM RUSSIA, ILYA MAKAROVY, SAYING:

"Well, I’m originally from Russia, and I’ve been in Germany for three years. It’s absolutely vital to me to be here as a democrat, to show what would happen in Germany if the AfD were to implement the same policies as Putin, and what would happen if they came to power. I’ve found a new home here, and I don’t want to experience that Russian propaganda and pressure again."

17. (SOUNDBITE) (German) PARTICIPANT, MARTIN SIEBACH, SAYING:

"I do, of course, hope that the AfD does not secure an absolute majority in the state parliament; I work at the university and fear that a potential AfD government might adopt a stance that is extremely hostile to science."

18. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN FRONT OF STAGE

19. WOMAN WITH SIGN SAYING "GRANDMOTHERS AGAINST THE RIGHT"

20. VARIOUS OF SINGER ON STAGE

21. MAN WITH SIGN READING "FASCISM IS NO ALTERNATIVE"