Thousands demonstrated in Germany today against the far right, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, following the issuance of a report about a recent meeting of extremists during which the deportation of immigrants was discussed.
There were protests in Potsdam, outside Berlin, and at the Brandenburg Gate in the German capital. These protests came in the wake of a demonstration on Saturday in the western city of Duisburg.
Schulz and his Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock represent the Potsdam region in the German Parliament.
Baerbock said she participated in the demonstration there as one of thousands of local residents "defending democracy and against old and new fascism."
Last week, the German online investigative news website Correctiv reported on the alleged far-right meeting last November, which it said was attended by figures from the extremist “identitarian movement” and the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
An Austrian named Martin Cilenella, a prominent member of the identity movement, presented his vision of “remigration,” a far-right political concept that refers to the return of non-ethnic or forced isolated European immigrants, often including their descendants, to their place of origin.
“These plans remind us of the darkest chapter in German history,” said Potsdam Mayor Mike Schubert.
The Alternative for Germany party sought to distance itself from the meeting, saying that it had no organizational or financial ties to the event, indicating that the members who participated in the meeting did so in their purely personal capacity, and that the party was not responsible for what was discussed there.
The uproar has sparked some calls for Germany to consider seeking to ban the Alternative for Germany party , which has moved steadily to the right since its founding in 2013.
Many of the party's opponents rejected the idea, claiming that the ban process would take a long time, that its chances of success were very weak, and that it might benefit the party by allowing it to portray itself as a victim.
The Alternative for Germany party currently ranks second in national opinion polls, behind the main center-right opposition movement and ahead of Schulz's coalition parties from the unpopular center-left movement.
Germany will run in the European Parliament elections next June, then hold state elections in September in three eastern regions where the Alternative for Germany party has wide acceptance. These areas include Brandenburg, where the city of Potsdam is located.
After 52 years of his mother's rule the official announcement of Frederick X's accession to the throne of Denmark
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed Frederick X King of Denmark from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.
The Danish Prime Minister thanked Queen Mother Margaret II for her 52-year rule.
He said: “Her Majesty Queen Margaret II has abdicated the throne. Long live His Majesty King Frederick X!”
She and the spectators in the arena chanted several times, “Hurray!” Celebrating the new king.
The king gave a speech from the palace balcony, in which he thanked his mother. After that, Frederick was joined by his wife, Queen Mary, and their children.
Many spectators carrying Danish flags gathered in the square in front of the palace and in the streets leading to it, and many of them placed crowns on their heads. The king shed tears when he heard their greetings and saw the flags of Denmark.
Queen Margaret II of Denmark announced earlier that she would abdicate the throne on January 14 after a reign that lasted 52 years.
The Danish Royal Palace reported that Queen Margrethe II remained on the throne for the longest period in Danish history.
It is emphasizing democracy and opposing fascism.
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