The vice president of Lower Saxony’s regional parliament, Gabriele Andretta, was among demonstrators pepper-sprayed by the German police during clashes in the town of Goettingen.
Over 500 leftist activists gathered near the town’s central station to picket a far-right rally that was scheduled to take place later on Saturday.
Violence broke out when the protesters attempted to break through riot police lines in an attempt to occupy the square in front of the station.
Security forces responded with pepper spray, hitting, among others, Gabriele Andretta, vice-president of Lower Saxony’s parliament and member of Germany’s Social Democratic Party, the country’s second largest.
At least two people, including Andretta, were injured in the clashes, and police made 15 arrests, Goettingen Tagesblatt reported.
Another far-right rally in Rome was also met by counter protesters on Saturday, but violence was avoided in the Italian capital.
Clashes between right-wing protesters and pro-refugee demonstrators have become a frequent sight across Europe, with tensions often flaring due to unprecedented levels of migration into the EU. (RT)
