Overview

• Police reported about 950 participants at a pro‑democracy march in Erfurt opposing an AfD rally that drew roughly 320 people, where Björn Höcke spoke.
• Authorities classify the Thuringian AfD as a confirmed right‑wing extremist organization under state domestic intelligence observation.
• Across the state, church services, concerts, communal singing and cross‑border festivities such as in Ummerstadt marked the 35th anniversary.
• At the federal ceremony in Saarbrücken, Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged a "new start" and a confident national effort to strengthen unity.
• Thuringia’s Minister‑President Mario Voigt called the day one of confidence and advocated a "second Aufbruch," while President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier in Mödlareuth emphasized defending freedom and democracy alongside appeals to address lingering East–West disparities.