Overview

• The two-hour debate in the Hermann‑Hepper‑Halle begins at 7 p.m., before a sold‑out crowd of roughly 800, with a city-run YouTube livestream.
• Police mounted a large operation around the venue as thousands were expected at counter‑rallies after at least 1,500 registered, reporting attempts to block entrances before the start.
• The event resulted from a July agreement in which the AfD canceled a planned street demonstration in exchange for a public forum with the mayor.
• The format limits disruptions through six timed topic blocks moderated by rhetoric professor Joachim Knape, strict ID checks, and bans on weapons and noisemakers.
• Palmer says he aims to expose AfD policy weaknesses, Frohnmaier casts the meeting as a sign of open debate, and protest organizers denied Palmer a speaking slot at their rallies.