Boris Palmer and the leader of Alternative for Germany, Frohnmaier, engage in a heated argument
In the heart of Tübingen, a heated debate between Mayor Boris Palmer and AfD State Leader Markus Frohnmaier took place, surrounded by a significant police presence and numerous demonstrators.
The debate, moderated by Joachim Knape, a professor of rhetoric at the University of Tübingen, began only after many troublemakers had been escorted out of the hall. The police had prepared for potential violent protesters and issued exclusion orders to maintain order.
The initial demonstration against the debate was peaceful, with occasional scuffles occurring between police and protesters on the fringes. The AfD had planned a demonstration in Tübingen's city center, but it was cancelled in exchange for Mayor Palmer agreeing to publicly debate with AfD representatives.
More than 1,000 demonstrators protested against the event, according to police reports. During the debate, one side chanted "Nazis out" or "There is no right to Nazi propaganda," while the other applauded Frohnmaier's entrance into the hall with "Markus, Markus" chants.
The debate covered six different topic blocks: Freedom of Speech, Climate Protection, Internal Security and Migration, Housing and Social Issues, Economic Location of Baden-Württemberg, and Democracy and Rule of Law.
Prior to the debate, Mayor Palmer had stated that he wanted to expose the AfD's substantive weaknesses and show that they are incompetent in many areas. However, a representative of the initiative Omas gegen Rechts stated that facts do not interest AfD voters.
Local business owners had expressed concerns about potential losses in sales and approached Palmer to ask if the demo could be relocated. The AfD then offered to forgo the demo if Palmer publicly debated with AfD representatives, which he agreed to.
Mayor Palmer justified the exclusion of troublemakers by invoking his right as mayor. Outside the hall, speakers criticized the debate and Palmer sharply.
Despite the disruptions, the debate in Tübingen provided a platform for open discussion and debate between two opposing political viewpoints.
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