This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36176901

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Germany AfD meeting: Clashes before far-right conference Germany AfD meeting: Clashes before right-wing conference
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of left-wing demonstrators have tried to block people entering a far-right party conference in the German city of Stuttgart. Hundreds of left-wing demonstrators have tried to block people entering a right-wing party conference in the German city of Stuttgart.
The Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party is expected to re-brand itself as openly anti-Islamic during the meeting.The Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party is expected to re-brand itself as openly anti-Islamic during the meeting.
Police, who surrounded several hundred protesters, fired pepper spray at crowds. Close to 1,000 officers were deployed.Police, who surrounded several hundred protesters, fired pepper spray at crowds. Close to 1,000 officers were deployed.
The AfD wants to ban the burqa and outlaw minarets in Germany.The AfD wants to ban the burqa and outlaw minarets in Germany.
Despite the protest, the conference began as planned on Saturday morning. Despite the protest, that saw some people carrying sticks and iron bars and burning tyres, the conference began as planned on Saturday morning.
One demonstrator, Dominik Schmeiser, said: "We are united by our conviction that we cannot let the AfD go unchallenged, and that it is a party which is not only racist, but which is engaged in the politics of exclusion and social division.
"We will not allow ourselves to be divided and we stand together for a compassionate society."
Germany jolted by right-wing poll successGermany jolted by right-wing poll success
Guide to Europe's nationalist partiesGuide to Europe's nationalist parties
Nearly 2,000 members of the AfD are registered to attend the conference. The party achieved gains in all three states taking part in regional elections last month, claiming almost a quarter of the vote in the relatively poor eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.Nearly 2,000 members of the AfD are registered to attend the conference. The party achieved gains in all three states taking part in regional elections last month, claiming almost a quarter of the vote in the relatively poor eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.
It had campaigned against what it called Chancellor Angela Merkel's "catastrophic" decision to accept a million migrants and refugees in 2015.It had campaigned against what it called Chancellor Angela Merkel's "catastrophic" decision to accept a million migrants and refugees in 2015.
In Saturday's conference, the party must agree a manifesto ahead of next year's general election.In Saturday's conference, the party must agree a manifesto ahead of next year's general election.
Proposals include withdrawal from the euro and the reintroduction of conscription, but there are splits within the party, including between its less hardline wing and the leadership.Proposals include withdrawal from the euro and the reintroduction of conscription, but there are splits within the party, including between its less hardline wing and the leadership.
Before the conference, police encircled groups of demonstrators in a technique known as kettling. Some protesters were seen being dragged away, with others chanting 'Shame on you' at officers. Speaking to the conference, deputy Alexander Gauland said the AfD was a party that "has arrived in society and which is here to stay, whether the consensus parties like it or not".
Before the meeting, police encircled groups of demonstrators in a technique known as kettling. Some protesters were seen being dragged away, with others chanting 'Shame on you' at officers.
Police did not say how many people were arrested.Police did not say how many people were arrested.
March state election resultsMarch state election results
More on AfDMore on AfD