Germany's AfD party re-elected its co-leaders, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, at their annual conference in Erfurt. Far-left activists and NGOs attempted to disrupt the event by blocking access roads. Police estimated around 15,000 far-left protesters gathered to impede AfD members. However, these protesters arrived too late to effectively block the delegates. The AfD delegates had already arrived early under police protection and were able to proceed with their conference preparations. News reports humorously described the AfD as "tricking" Antifa by arriving before the planned blockades. This conference occurs as the AfD's popularity continues to rise significantly in Germany. The party is currently leading national polls, ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives. Weidel and Chrupalla used their speeches to criticize mainstream parties and reinforce their anti-immigration stance. The AfD's growing influence is attributed to public dissatisfaction with liberal and progressive policies.