As the regional elections approach in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, concerns are mounting among migrant communities over the potential rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD is widely expected to secure a historic win and possibly form the state’s first governing majority, raising fears of intensified anti-immigrant policies, including a so-called "deportation and remigration offensive."
Remigration, a controversial concept endorsed by radical anti-immigrant groups, involves the mass deportation of non-white populations to their countries of origin. This program has alarmed many residents, particularly migrants who worry about their safety and future in the region.
Ayman Alyoussef, a Syrian-born cardiologist and head physician at a clinic in Quedlinburg, shared his apprehension about the rising hostility. Alyoussef, who arrived in Germany in 2014 and is now a citizen, said that while he has generally been welcomed by colleagues and patients, he and his family face discrimination and hostility in everyday life, especially since his wife and daughter wear Muslim headscarves.
“There are patients who arrive at 3 a.m. with a heart attack. I’m able to treat them during the acute crisis,” Alyoussef said. “Afterwards, they thank me when they realize a foreigner helped them. But on the street, they don’t know I am a cardiologist; they see only a foreigner. That’s why they say they don’t want someone like me here.”
Similar fears are echoed across Saxony-Anhalt’s migrant population. Last week, about 150 migrant-operated businesses, including restaurants and barber shops in the state capital of Magdeburg, temporarily shut down to protest what they described as a growing climate of xenophobia. The Refugee Council noted that many migrants report ongoing experiences of racism and social exclusion, with discussions of mass deportations causing heightened anxiety and uncertainty.
Rezwaan Talash, a 24-year-old Afghan migrant working in Magdeburg, expressed his unease about the post-election landscape. Having arrived in Germany six years ago, Talash worries about the sustainability of his life in the country. He said several members of his migrant support group have recently relocated out of Saxony-Anhalt, fearing that the area could become unsafe. “We don’t want everything we’ve built—starting a calm, good life here—to suddenly go up in flames,” he said.
AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund, who aims to become the state premier, has promised swift deportations of all foreigners without legal status from the moment his party takes office. Speaking at a campaign event, Siegmund clarified that the party intends to focus on deporting those “who are here illegally” while maintaining that legal immigration under strict criteria would remain acceptable.
The potential AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt echoes broader debates on immigration and asylum policies in Europe. In the United Kingdom, Nigel Farage’s Reform U.K. party, which controls several local councils, has taken a firm stance against accepting additional asylum seekers, citing financial and logistical strains on asylum accommodation systems.
UK authorities have also reported limited local council interest in assuming greater responsibility for asylum seeker accommodation, emphasizing the need for collaboration with government agencies to manage housing while minimizing homelessness and destitution.
As far-right parties gain ground in parts of Europe, migrant communities continue to face uncertainty and anxiety about their future, underscoring the ongoing challenges surrounding immigration policy and social integration.