Disruptions mar Boris Palmer's debate with the AfD party

Contention in Dialogue Between Boris Palmer and AfD Features Disruptions - Disruptions mar Boris Palmer's debate with the AfD party

In a heated atmosphere, the debate between Tübingen's independent Mayor Boris Palmer and AfD state chairman Markus Frohnmaier took place, initially marred by lengthy disruptions. The event, moderated by Joachim Knape, a professor of rhetoric at the University of Tübingen, was accompanied by a massive police presence.

Before the debate, more than a thousand demonstrators protested against the event, according to police reports. The AfD had planned a demonstration in Tübingen's city center at the time, but Palmer had agreed to the debate in exchange for its cancellation.

The speaking time of Palmer and Frohnmaier was to be strictly timed. However, numerous disruptions occurred, with audience members chanting "Nazis out" or "There is no right to Nazi propaganda," while others applauded Frohnmaier's entrance with "Markus, Markus" chants. During Frohnmaier's first speech, there were boos and chants, and sirens and whistles could be heard.

Mayor Palmer justified the exclusion of disruptors by invoking his right as mayor. The police removed numerous disruptors from the hall and issued exclusion orders. Despite the disruptions, the debate covered six different topic blocks: freedom of speech, climate protection, internal security and migration, housing and social affairs, economic location of Baden-Württemberg, and democracy and the rule of law.

Palmer had previously stated that he wanted to use the debate to expose the AfD's substantive weaknesses and show that it is incompetent in many areas. The speakers outside the hall sharply criticized the debate and Palmer. Retailers feared loss of sales and asked Palmer if the demonstration could be moved.

The decision to cancel the AfD demonstration in Tübingen in July in exchange for an open debate with Mayor Boris Palmer was made by Palmer himself. The AfD then offered to cancel the demo if Palmer publicly debated with AfD MPs. Palmer had appealed to the participants of the demonstrations to stay away from those who did not intend to demonstrate peacefully.

Initially, the demonstration remained largely peaceful, with occasional scuffles between police and demonstrators on the sidelines. The police prepared for potential violent demonstrators and had numerous police vehicles visible in the side streets around the hall.

Speakers outside the hall sharply criticized the debate and Mayor Palmer. "AfD voters aren't interested in facts," said a representative of the Initiative Omas gegen Rechts. Despite the disruptions, the debate provided a platform for open discussion on important issues facing Tübingen and Baden-Württemberg.