AfD Wins Record Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Regional Elections
The Alternative for Germany party achieved its best result to date in Saxony-Anhalt, sparking anxiety among migrants and challenging the national government's economic record.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its strongest electoral performance to date in the September 6 regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt. The party's success positions it to potentially form the first far-right regional government in Germany since World War II. On October 6, the 83-seat state legislature met in Magdeburg to elect its speaker, with the AfD seeking a symbolic victory as the largest party.
The AfD platform advocates for faster deportations, stricter restrictions on asylum seekers, and a policy refusing to recruit workers the party deems culturally foreign. This political shift has caused significant anxiety among migrants in the region, including skilled professionals such as doctors and pharmacists who report increased hostility and a diminished sense of safety.
Undra Dressler, executive director of the Saxony-Anhalt State Network of Migrant Organizations, noted that counseling centers are extremely busy and people are in great need of support. While some migrants are considering returning to their home countries, others remain determined to stay, citing Germany's reliance on foreign skilled labor.
The party's rise is attributed to public discontent over high inflation, rising energy prices, and slow economic growth under the national government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
