Tens of thousands of people marched in the German capital Berlin on Sunday to protest against plans by opposition parties to restrict immigration. The plans are backed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is considered a political taboo in the country.

About 160,000 people gathered at the historic Brandenburg Gate near the lower house of parliament, Berlin police said.

Ruling parties, including Chancellor Olaf Schulz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens, strongly criticised the proposals, saying they violated European law and would be ineffective in preventing attacks.

Similar protests were held in several other German cities on Saturday, with tens of thousands turning out to reject the immigration policies of the Christian Union and Alternative for Germany (AfD) parties.