As migrants fear state election victory, immigrant voters are turning away from politics
As the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) gains momentum ahead of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, migrants and people with migration backgrounds are increasingly worried about their future in Germany. Some fear that an AfD victory could bring major changes to migration policy.
The AfD is currently leading opinion polls in Saxony-Anhalt, raising the possibility that it could achieve its strongest-ever result in a German state election. The party has campaigned heavily on immigration, deportations and its demand for a so-called “remigration” policy, causing growing anxiety among migrant communities.
For some immigrants, the political situation has become deeply personal. People who have lived in Germany for years say they are increasingly concerned about whether they will continue to feel welcome and secure if the AfD gains control of the state government.
The fear is particularly strong among migrants who have built businesses and families in eastern Germany. Some migrant-owned shops and businesses have already used closures and public demonstrations to draw attention to concerns about racism, social exclusion and political demands targeting people with migration backgrounds.
At the same time, some immigrant voters appear to be losing faith in mainstream political parties. Disappointment over immigration policies, economic problems and a feeling that established parties have failed to address their concerns are contributing to political disengagement among parts of the migrant population.
The situation reflects a wider political shift in Germany, where immigration has become one of the most divisive issues. The AfD has successfully made migration a central part of political debate, while mainstream parties face growing pressure to respond to voters worried about immigration without adopting the far-right party’s agenda.
The upcoming Saxony-Anhalt election has therefore become more than a regional contest. A strong AfD result could represent a major breakthrough for the party and intensify concerns among migrants, while also putting Germany’s established political parties under renewed pressure to confront the country’s growing political divide.