The rise of the far right in eastern Germany is producing concrete consequences beyond the election campaign. In the state of Saxony-Anhalt, many migrants are considering leaving, as a possible AfD victory is seen by foreign communities as a signal of a harsher political and social climate.
Regional elections and fear of a historic victory
Saxony-Anhalt votes next Sunday in regional elections, with the AfD aiming, for the first time, to secure the majority needed to govern alone.
The party is known for its anti-immigration and anti-Islam positions, while its candidate for state premier, Ulrich Siegmund, has promised the immediate launch of a deportation campaign. According to his version, the measures would target only people staying illegally in Germany, but the political language used in the campaign has fueled broader fear and uncertainty among migrants.
Protest by migrant-run businesses in Magdeburg
As a sign of reaction to the growing climate of xenophobia, about 150 restaurants, kiosks and barbershops run by migrants temporarily closed in Magdeburg.
Their gesture comes at a time when the political debate is no longer being read simply as a contest between parties, but as a direct threat to the safety and daily life of foreign communities.
Foreign doctors and professionals in a dilemma
Syrian doctor Ayman Alyoussef, who heads a cardiology service in Quedlinburg, has said that he and his family face hostility in the streets, despite his role in treating patients.
He has warned that he may leave if hatred toward foreigners spreads further. His case highlights a contradiction that German authorities have long avoided: the economy and public services depend on the work of migrants, while the political climate toward them is becoming more hostile.
A state losing population and risking basic services
Saxony-Anhalt has lost nearly a quarter of its population since German reunification, making it even more vulnerable to the departure of foreign workers.
The consequences are expected to be felt especially in healthcare. The director of the clinic in Quedlinburg has said that without doctors and nurses of foreign origin, the hospital would be forced to close.
Economists and employers warn that the deportation or departure of migrants would further deepen the demographic crisis, hitting not only the labor market but also the basic functioning of local institutions.
The debate in Saxony-Anhalt is showing that political rhetoric against immigration does not remain only on election platforms. It is directly influencing people’s decisions about whether to live, work and remain in a region that, ironically, has a vital need for them.