Several hurt at anti-capitalism protests in Hanover

Several people have been hurt in clashes between police and protestors, ahead of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party conference in the German city of Hanover.

Left-wing and anti-capitalism protests in Hanover began on Friday evening, a day ahead of the AfD party conference. Authorities have said the rallies went ahead mostly peacefully.

On Saturday, however, the scales were much higher. A total of five demonstrations were scheduled, with around 6,000 people joining the pro-immigration rally in the city centre. Another rally called by trade unions was expected to draw thousands more.

The protestors tried to barricade the entrance to the conference. Despite the freezing temperature, authorities used water canons, batons and pepper spray to clear a path for the 600 delegates.

Protestors barricaded the entrance to the conference (Photo: gw.com)

One demonstrator’s leg was broken after he chained himself to a barricade.

AfD won 12.6% of the vote in Germany’s federal elections in September, becoming the third biggest force in the Bundestag after the centre-right and social democrat SPD.

If Angela Merkel's Christian Democrat alliance agrees a coalition deal with Martin Schulz's social democrats, AfD with 94 MPs would become the biggest non-government party.

Police said an officer was also hit on the hand by a flying bottle and 10 protesters were taken into custody.

The AfD is set to elect its new leader during their first conference. Members will decide whether hardliners lead the AfD further to the right or if relative moderates position the anti-immigration party as what they call traditionally conservative.

Delegates will also elect a new executive board to decide the party’s ideological direction and debate policy motions.