Imperial March from Star Wars blares through AfD party conference in Erfurt
During the election of deputy leaders at the AfD federal party conference in Erfurt, the 'Imperial March' from Star Wars suddenly played over the hall's speakers, causing confusion and a search for the source.
The disruption
During the election of the party's deputy chairpersons on 4 July 2026, the 'Imperial March', the theme associated with Darth Vader, began playing in the Erfurt exhibition hall. The music alternated from left and right sides of the room, lasting several minutes. Attendees reacted with irritation and bewilderment. Party officials and police were initially unable to identify the source.
Search and discovery
Technicians and police officers searched the hall, using flashlights to inspect the galleries. After about 15 minutes, they found at least one Bluetooth speaker hidden behind a curtain under the hall roof. The device had been placed there before the event, raising questions about how it bypassed security. The music stopped after the speaker was located.
Security questions
The incident prompted concerns about the security measures at the heavily guarded venue. Despite a massive police presence and extensive cordons around the conference site, someone managed to conceal a wireless speaker inside the hall. The party's press spokespeople and law enforcement were unable to explain the breach immediately.
Protests in Erfurt
The party conference took place amid large-scale protests. Up to 60,000 demonstrators gathered in Erfurt, and some blocked highways in the morning. Two journalists were reported injured, but the majority of the protests remained peaceful. The city was under a state of emergency due to the event.
Party business
Before the disruption, the AfD re-elected its co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla for another two-year term. Stefan Möller was elected as a deputy chairperson. The conference continued after the music incident.
