The Saxony-Anhalt state election on September 6 could make history. For the first time, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) could become the strongest party in a German state if it wins the key vote. The AfD is currently leading the polls at over 40%, far ahead of the center-right Christian Democrats of Chancellor Friedrich Merz at around 24%.
The AfD advocates a restrictive immigration policy centered on sharply reducing migration, increasing deportations and promoting what it calls "remigration," while also emphasizing national sovereignty, cultural identity and traditional family values. Many people with a migration background consider the Saxony-Alhalt election to be more than a political choice of direction. Awet Tesfaiesus, a member of the Bundestag for the Greens who was born in the African nation of Eritrea, emphasizes this point.
She said the election is "not just any election for Black people and other people who experience racism." "When racist and ethno-nationalist positions become stronger, the question for them becomes very concrete: How safe can I feel here, and will I be recognized as a natural part of this society?" Tesfaiesus told DW. Karamba Diaby knows these concerns well. The former center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) member of the Bundestag, who was born in Senegal and has lived in Saxony-Anhalt for decades, told DW about growing uncertainty.
"When I am in school classes or visiting migrant organizations, I keep hearing the question, especially from younger people: Can we continue to stay in this country?” "Of course you can stay here," he said. "I am against painting the devil on the wall and saying I would leave my state if such a majority came to power. That would be the last thing we could do." In conversations about the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, no party's name comes up as often as that of the AfD.
The AfD election program calls for a 'deportation and remigration offensive' but does not clearly define remigration. The term is politically contested and is generally associated with proposals aimed at increasing the departure of certain categories of migrants and foreign nationals, alongside deportations of people without a legal right to remain. The AfD's manifesto uses the word remigration not only regarding immigrants.
It also proposes incentives to encourage German skilled workers who emigrated abroad to return to Germany. Many people with migration backgrounds have reported feelings of uncertainty. Syrian-born Batoul Nayouf from the Saxony-Anhalt State Network of Migrant Organizations (LAMSA) described the mood in a report for public broadcaster MDR with the words: "We are sitting on packed suitcases." But Amidou Traore does not agree with that assessment.
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