After the start of its so-called hot autumn in Leipzig, the left announced further protests against the energy and social policies of the federal government. In the next few days there will be further demonstrations in various cities - and next Monday again in Leipzig, said Linken boss Martin Schirdewan at a rally in the trade fair city on Monday evening.
Thousands of left-wing, but also about as many right-wing demonstrators against the federal government took to the streets there. A total of seven meetings of right and left groups were registered, including one of the right-wing extremist splinter party Freie Sachsen. One of the meetings was canceled by the meeting leader before it started, the police said.
Mood partly aggressive
A large police force managed to keep the political camps largely apart. "Immediate coercion" was also used when some elevator participants tried to get through the security forces' blockade to sit-ins, the police said. The mood was therefore partly aggressive, there was a scramble. The police did not report any major incidents until the end of the demos.
The background to the protests is the sharp rise in energy and food prices. The traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP in the federal government announced a package worth 65 billion euros at the weekend to relieve citizens. The protesters consider this insufficient.
The party Die Linke had registered their rally under the motto "Hot autumn against social cold". Party leader Schirdewan, former faction leader Gregor Gysi and others blame the federal government for the very high energy and food prices and are calling for more effective relief.
Number of participants in the "middle four-digit range"
While supporters of the Free Saxons urged the left to protest together, they distanced themselves decisively. Schirdewan spoke of "right-wing crackpots". But don't let the right to protest be taken away from you. Regarding the traffic light coalition's latest plans, he said: "That's a relief fake."
According to the police, the number of participants was in the “mid four-digit range” – i.e. a few thousand. More specific estimates are not possible due to the dynamic situation. A police spokesman said on Monday evening that there were also "clients prepared to use violence who were also looking for a confrontation". But there were only minor arguments.
Police said the gatherings were "dynamic in parts, but peaceful." A total of more than 550 police officers were on duty. As of Monday evening, the police are investigating ten cases, including assault, theft and violation of the Assembly Act.
