Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is holding a two-day gathering in Riesa, in the eastern state of Saxony, one of its strongholds.

Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), firmly rejected any cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in an interview with public broadcaster ARD on Friday evening.

Planned protests organized by an alliance of activists have begun ahead of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) two-day party conference, which kicks off Saturday morning in the eastern German town of Riesa in Saxony.

Organizers said they expected over 10,000 people to attend demonstrations in eastern Saxony state. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling in second place ahead of upcoming federal elections.

Protests organized on Saturday by an alliance of activists against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) have delayed the start of the party's conference in the eastern German state of Saxony. The protests come as three of Germany's major political parties are holding gatherings on the same day to finalize their election platforms and candidate nominations ahead of the national elections on February 23.

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