Thousands protest across Germany against far-right extremism ahead of snap elections

More than 200,000 protesters have rallied in the southern German city of Munich against far-right extremism ahead of the country's general election.

The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is currently in second place in recent polls and that has prompted widespread protests across the country before voters head to the ballot box on 23 February.

The protest at Munich's Theresienwiese, where Oktoberfest takes place each year, attracted a significantly larger crowd than expected, according to the German dpa news agency.

The event's organisers estimated the crowd could be up to 320,000 people, many of whom carried signs against the AfD with slogans like, "Racism and hatred is not an alternative."

"We are demonstrating against the right. Never again is now. I find it horrible that right-wing ideas are acceptable again, that this is being said openly again," said pensioner, Veronika Frank.

The protest was supported by activist groups as well as the Munich Film Festival, churches and Munich football clubs FC Bayern and TSV 1860.

Police told local media that the demonstration was peaceful.

Similar protests attracted large crowds in Hanover, Rostock and elsewhere in Germany, mirroring other demonstrations that have occurred across the country in recent weeks.

Last month, at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate a huge crowd blew whistles, sang anti-fascist songs and carried banners denouncing the AfD.

Activists said they hoped the rally would also draw attention to other far-right parties in Europe and the new administration of US President Donald Trump.

Demonstrators have recently also opposed Friedrich Merz, the centre-right leader and frontrunner in the upcoming election, and his Christian Democrats for sending proposals