Palmer engages in a confrontation with the head of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party

Tübingen Braces for Debate Between Mayor and AfD Leader

Tübingen, a picturesque university town in southwest Germany, is gearing up for an unprecedented event as its Mayor, Boris Palmer, prepares to debate with Markus Frohnmaier, the deputy parliamentary leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The debate comes in response to the AfD's planned demonstration in Tübingen's city center, which was canceled in mid-July. The AfD had offered to cancel the demonstration if Mayor Palmer would publicly debate with their representatives.

The event, scheduled for 7:00 PM, will attract over 700 attendees, according to recent estimates. Additionally, several counter-protests are planned, with at least 1,500 participants registered.

Mayor Palmer has been vocal about his views on the AfD, claiming that reading their party program reveals incompetence on many issues and harmful demands to their own voters. He intends to expose these weaknesses in the debate.

Heiko Kächele, the head of the Tübingen police station, is responsible for the deployment to ensure the safety of all participants and separate troublemakers, if necessary.

Shop owners in Tübingen had previously expressed fears of business losses due to the planned demonstration. However, with the debate in place, the town is hoping for a peaceful resolution to the political discord.

Not everyone is in favour of the debate, though. The Tübingen Alliance for Human Rights and Democracy maintains its stance against the debate, stating, "You don't debate with fascists." Critics continue to argue that Palmer is giving the AfD an unnecessary platform.

Mayor Palmer, however, has asked protesters to stay away from those not intending to protest peacefully. He urges everyone to respect each other's views and maintain a peaceful environment during the debate.

As Tübingen prepares for this significant event, the town is a microcosm of the larger debate happening in Germany about how to engage with extremist political parties while upholding democratic values.