Tens of thousands of Germans took to the streets on Saturday in protest against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the country’s legislative elections on February 23. The protests, which saw large gatherings in Berlin and Cologne, were spurred by the party's growing influence and recent endorsement from US tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Musk, speaking by video link at an AfD rally in Halle, declared the party as 'the best hope for the future of Germany' and stated that the upcoming election could determine the future of Europe.

His comments were met with cheers from the crowd, which included AfD co-leader Alice Weidel.

In contrast, protests against the party took place in more than 60 cities across Germany.

The largest demonstrations were reported in Berlin, with police estimating 35,000 participants, and in Cologne, with 20,000 demonstrators.

Organizers in Berlin claimed the turnout reached 100,000.

The protesters, who used mobile phones to form a 'sea of light for democracy' in front of the Brandenburg Gate, expressed opposition to the AfD’s anti-immigration and far-right policies.

Slogans like 'Nazis out' and 'AfD is not an alternative' were displayed on banners.

AfD’s rise in popularity ahead of the elections has been significant, with the party polling at around 20%, a historic high for a post-war German far-right party.

In comparison, the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, led by Friedrich Merz, holds a lead at approximately 30%.

Merz is expected to be the chancellor candidate for the mainstream right.

Musk, a vocal supporter of former US President Donald Trump, has stirred controversy in Europe with his recent backing of AfD and other far-right movements, including in the UK. His remarks have raised alarm among European politicians, especially after a controversial incident in which Musk was accused of making a Nazi salute, a claim he denied.

The AfD, which opposes immigration, denies climate change, and criticizes gender politics, has been attracting significant support with its anti-establishment rhetoric.

Musk’s endorsement of the party, which includes calls for reducing the influence of the European Union, echoes his broader political stances.

Weidel, speaking at the rally, argued for the repatriation of migrants, claiming that 'we need re-migration to live safely in Germany.'

While the protests against the AfD passed off peacefully, they reflect growing concern among many Germans about the party's increasing influence and the possibility of the CDU entering a coalition with the AfD.

Protests also flared in response to a recent knife attack in Aschaffenburg by an Afghan migrant, fueling the ongoing debate over immigration.

As the election approaches, the situation in Germany remains tense, with heightened concerns over the rise of far-right populism and the potential impact on the country's political landscape.