On Saturday afternoon, Einsiedeln became the backdrop for heated demonstrations as around 250 protesters gathered for the "Demo gegen rechts," rallying against the presence of Alice Weidel, the leading personality of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), who has been living with her family in the area since 2018. According to reports from Keystone, the atmosphere was charged with conflicting sentiments, as counter-protesters regarded the demonstrators with shouts and jeers, resulting in significant police presence to maintain separation between the two groups.
The rally commenced at 2 PM, with demonstrators hoisting banners proclaiming messages such as "Weidel raus" (Weidel out) and "Nazis raus" (Nazis out), referring to the controversial political climate surrounding the AfD, which is often labeled as extremist by critics. An intriguing point was raised by one speaker from the "Alliance against the Right": "We are fighting for a world with diversity and without fascism," pointing to the perceived social issues exacerbated by Weidel's political ideology.
The Schwyz cantonal police maintained vigilance throughout the event, stating they had to conduct identity checks and separate the rival factions to avoid escalation. Reports indicated around 1,000 individuals were present as spectators, contributing to the overall charged environment, creating tension as some counter-demonstrators waved AfD posters and voiced their support for Weidel, chanting "Alice stay with us!" These expressions showcased the deep divide within the local community.
Police authorities noted "provocations and scuffles" occurred, though they successfully suppressed potential escalations, resulting in no injuries or property damages reported as of Saturday evening. The situation reached moments of friction, where demonstrations from both ends clashed verbally, with instances of items—like snowballs—being thrown across the divide, as noted by eyewitness reports from the scene.
Approximately five individuals were temporarily detained for carrying prohibited items or failing to adhere to police instructions. "We have taken precautions to maintain order, and no major incidents have been recorded," stated the police.20 Minuten reported the response from the local business community as well. Some shop owners expressed concern over loss of business, with one clothing store owner, Sonja, lamenting, "I have nothing against demonstrations, but we should not suffer setbacks as business owners. Potential losses from these events are difficult to manage." Another local retailer echoed similar fears, worried over vandalism or disruption to their daily operations.
Visitors also flocked to Einsiedeln out of sheer curiosity, with some young people, including Oliver and Silas, sharing their observations of the protests. Oliver remarked, "I don’t understand why they will shout 'Nazis raus'—there aren't Nazis here; our community is Swiss." Meanwhile, Dominic, who traveled from Basel to join the march, asserted, "Alice Weidel has the right to live here but her ideology should not be welcomed. It’s worrying to see the rise of such politics."
This sentiment summed up the essence of the demonstration, which aimed to highlight the fears surrounding Weidel's right-wing rhetoric and its inevitable consequences on community well-being. Others, like Samuel Siegrist from Interlaken, expressed counter-support for Weidel, claiming, "Alice is fantastic; she brings important issues to light. We are here to show our support for her presence."
Police maintained steady control over the protests, successfully keeping the two groups separated, which contributed to minimal turmoil. Nevertheless, the heightened tensions became apparent as the demonstrators transferred their rally from the train station to the nearby Paracelsus Park, where they prepared for speeches and the culmination of their activities.
The demonstration, heavily reported on social media, attracted attention not only locally but also across borders, prompting activists from neighboring regions to partake. Organizers had anticipated significant turnout—stirring concern from local authorities as they marked the area for safety and security measures, restricting access to the village and advising outsiders against traveling to Einsiedeln.
Overall, the mobilization on Saturday underscored the broader national discussions on immigration, multiculturalism, and the response to right-wing ideologies as reflected through Alice Weidel’s candidacy for the German federal elections. The protests created charged dialogues, contrasting views among attendees, all within the specter of rising populism across Europe.
While the day concluded without severe incidents, the undercurrents of tension and conflicting political ideologies highlighted the community's struggle with identity and acceptance, serving as yet another chapter in the larger narrative surrounding European politics and social harmony.