As victory loomed for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Sunday’s state parliamentary polls in the central German state of Thuringia, media workers found themselves barred from the party’s election day celebrations.
Photographers and camera crews from around the country gathered outside the pub where AfD members and supporters were meeting in order to report the reactions of the party base.
However, due to a legal stand-off with the party, media were denied entry to the event, at which AfD members were clearly in high spirits.
Upon his arrival, the firebrand leader of the AfD’s chapter in Thuringia Björn Höcke said: “We will be able to celebrate a historic victory today.”
The AfD is projected to win the regional vote in Thuringia, according to initial forecasts after polling stations closed at 6 pm (1600 GMT).
However, it probably does not have an option to govern as all other parties have ruled out cooperation in advance.
The decision to deny journalists access despite accreditation was only made on Saturday evening.
Legal action taken by a group of media outlets, who must be granted access by court order, has forced the AfD “to cancel the event in its previously planned form,” said a party spokesman.
The court ruling meant that more than 150 media representatives would have to be admitted to a venue that could only hold 200 people at best, in addition to 150 registered party guests, the AfD said of its decision.
“The event would have to be cancelled due to overcrowding. The safety of all participants would not be guaranteed,” the spokesman said.
