Around 150,000 people participated, according to organizers' estimates, in demonstrations that took place in about 20 German cities on Saturday, protesting the rise of the far-right "Alternative for Germany" party and calling for its ban.
The protests followed the party's overwhelming victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections last week, where it topped the results with around 44 percent of the votes.
The actions were organized in various cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, at the invitation of the "Provo" movement, which demands the ban of the party.
Demonstrators raised signs that read "Ban the Alternative for Germany party now" and "Democracy does not need alternatives."
Christoph Bautz, head of the "Campact" group participating in the organization of the protests, stated that "a wide range of civil society is taking to the streets to prevent constitutional enemies, namely the Alternative for Germany party in Saxony-Anhalt, from coming to power."
According to the "Campact" group, approximately 25,000 people participated in the Hamburg demonstration and 12,000 in Munich, while the police reported that several thousand took part in the actions held in Berlin.
Calls to ban the party escalated after it began discussions with political forces and other deputies to form the first far-right regional government in Germany since World War II.
Despite receiving about 44 percent of the votes, compared to 17 percent for the Christian Democratic Union, the party fell short of an absolute majority by three seats.
German laws impose strict conditions for banning parties.
In contrast, the "Alternative for Germany" party organized a counter-demonstration in the capital Berlin, featuring Christine Brinker, the party's lead candidate for the upcoming regional elections.