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AfD surge in eastern Germany leaves immigrants questioning belonging
Some people who moved to Germany from other countries are worried that they are no longer welcome.
This fear has grown as the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, has become more popular in eastern Germany.
The party wants stricter immigration rules and talks about sending some foreigners back to their home countries.
Syrian families interviewed by Reuters said they had faced insults and other hostile treatment.
Shahd Najeeb and her husband fled war in Syria and now work and raise their children in Germany.
They say Germany gave them safety, but they do not want their children to feel rejected.
The AfD says it accepts skilled workers and wants to deport people who have no legal right to stay.
Critics say the party’s language can make foreigners feel threatened in general.
The debate matters because eastern Germany needs workers as its population ages.
Syrian refugees in eastern Germany say anti-immigrant hostility has increased as the AfD gains support.
The AfD is expected to become the largest party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s state election.
Interviewees reported insults, demands to leave Germany and other incidents, including one alleged assault involving foul-smelling water.
AfD candidate Leif-Erik Holm says skilled immigration is welcome but supports deporting foreigners without legal permission to remain.
Migrants are economically important to the region, which faces low birth rates, an ageing population and worker shortages.
- Who
- Immigrants, especially Syrians, the Alternative for Germany, and its candidate Leif-Erik Holm are central to the report.
- What
- Migrants say growing AfD support and anti-immigrant rhetoric are making them question whether they still belong in eastern Germany.
- Where
- The events and interviews focus on Rostock and Schwerin in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, eastern Germany.
- When
- The report was published September 19, ahead of a state election on Sunday.
- Why
- The issue has intensified because migration is again central to political debate and the AfD is gaining electoral support.
Critics and migrant residents
AfD position
Political rhetoric and belonging
Critics and migrant residents
Migrants and critics say rhetoric about remigration and foreigners creates fear, encourages hostility and makes long-term residents feel unwelcome.
AfD position
The AfD says its focus is on illegal immigration and that skilled workers who contribute to Germany should be accepted.
Deportations
Critics and migrant residents
Critics argue that broad anti-immigrant rhetoric affects foreigners generally, including people who work, pay taxes and contribute to local communities.
AfD position
Leif-Erik Holm says more than 250,000 foreigners who have no legal right to stay should be deported.
Economic effects
Critics and migrant residents
Economists and state officials warn that eastern Germany needs immigrant workers because of low birth rates, an ageing population and labour shortages.
AfD position
The AfD blames the government for allowing illegal immigration and failing to deport enough people required to leave.
Key facts
- Syrians in Germany
- More than 900,000 Syrians live in Germany.
- Syrian workers
- Around 316,000 Syrian nationals work in Germany, excluding those who have acquired German nationality.
- Regional election
- Opinion polls suggest the AfD could become the biggest party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
- Migration-background workforce
- Around 50,000 people with a migration background work in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
- AfD position
- Leif-Erik Holm says skilled workers are welcome but supports deporting foreigners without a legal right to remain.
- Employment trend
- Among Syrians who had been in Germany for seven years or longer, more than 60% had jobs in 2023.
Quotes
An elderly man in Rostock
An elderly man in a wheelchair whom Shahd Najeeb said shouted at her outside a grocery store
“I think it's terrible that people who work here, who make their contribution and pay their taxes and social security contributions, are afraid and don't feel at ease.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
“This country is for Germans”
theprint.in
Mahmoud Hmouech
Syrian migrant living and working in Rostock with his family
“The pain I experienced in Rostock is a new kind of pain that I have never felt before.”
telegraphindia.com
“At the end of the day, family comes first.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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