Thousands of people demonstrated against a convention of the far-right Alternative for Germany on Saturday, blocking some roads and delaying the meeting's start as parties launched their campaigns for the country's election next month.

A key congress of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was delayed Saturday as thousands shouting "No to Nazis" protested outside the venue in the eastern town of Riesa.

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.