The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Hesse is gearing up for the 2025 Bundestag elections with a sense of optimism, buoyed by recent successes in state elections in Saxony and Thuringia.

At a party congress in Hofheim am Taunus, the AfD announced Jan Nolte as their lead candidate, amidst calls for unity and a strong campaign.

The event was heavily secured by police and accompanied by significant protests, with demonstrators forming a human chain around the venue to oppose the party's policies.

Despite the protests, which included a variety of groups such as "Omas gegen Rechts," the police reported a peaceful atmosphere.

The AfD, now the largest opposition faction in the Wiesbaden state parliament, aims to increase its representation in the Bundestag, although a recent electoral reform will reduce the number of seats available.

The party's leadership expressed confidence in achieving a historic success in the upcoming national elections.