Germany’s far-right stages anti-migration rally in Magdeburg

Far-right protesters have held a rally in Magdeburg, following Friday evening’s attack on a Christmas market which left five people dead and hundreds injured.

Police estimate around 1,000 protesters gathered in the city’s central square, calling for stronger controls on migration after German authorities identified the attacker as a doctor from Saudi Arabia.

Protesters carried so-called ‘homeland’ flags and banners saying ‘remigration’, while chants such as “those who do not love Germany should leave Germany” and “we do not want asylum seekers’ homes,” could also be heard.

According to local media, there were some minor scuffles with police.

The horror triggered by yet another act of mass violence make it likely that migration will remain a key issue as German heads toward an early election on Feb. 23.

The far-right Alternative for Germany party had already been polling strongly amid a societal backlash against the large numbers of refugees and migrants who have arrived in Germany over the past decade.

Right-wing figures from across Europe have criticised German authorities for having allowed high levels of migration in the past and for what they see as security failures now.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is known for a strong anti-migration position going back years, used the attack in Germany to lash out at the European Union’s migration policies.

At an annual press conference in Budapest on Saturday, Orban insisted that “there is no doubt that there is a link between the changed world in Western Europe, the migration that flows there, especially illegal migration and terrorist acts.”

Orban vowed to “fight back” against the EU migration policies “because Brussels wants Magdeburg to happen to Hungary, too.”