Journalists shut out of AfD election party in Thuringia

As victory loomed for the far - right Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) in Sunday ' s state parliamentary polls in the central German state of Thuringia , media workers found themselves barred from the party ' s election day celebrations . Photographers and camera crews from around the country gathered outside the pub where AfD members and supporters were meeting in order to report the reactions of the party base . However , due to a legal stand - off with the party , media were denied entry to the event , at which AfD members were clearly in high spirits . Upon his arrival , the firebrand leader of the AfD ' s chapter in Thuringia Bj ö rn H ö cke said : " We will be able to celebrate a historic victory today ." The AfD is projected to win the regional vote in Thuringia , according to initial forecasts after polling stations closed at 6 pm ( 1600 GMT ). However , it probably does not have an option to govern as all other parties have ruled out cooperation in advance . The decision to deny jo urnalists access despite accreditation was only made on Saturday evening . Legal action taken by a group of media outlets , who must be granted access by court order , has forced the AfD " to cancel the event in its previously planned form ," said a party spokesman . The court ruling meant that more than 150 media representatives would have to be admitted to a venue that could only hold 200 people at best , in addition to 150 registered party guests , the AfD said of its decision . " The event would have to be cancelled due to overcrowding . The safety of all participants would not be guaranteed ," the spokesman said . dpa xxde rot pos nca era Source: The Namibia News Agency