Saxony-Anhalt is heading toward a state election that analysts are calling potentially historic — and not in a reassuring way for many people living in Germany as foreigners. The AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), Germany's far-right, anti-immigration party, is polling strongly and could achieve its best-ever result in a German state election. Readers of The Local — an English-language news platform whose audience is overwhelmingly made up of expats and immigrants in Germany — have been sounding the alarm, with many describing a strong AfD result as a 'disaster for democracy.' This article explains what is happening, why it matters, and what the practical implications could be for foreigners living in Germany.
Saxony-Anhalt is one of Germany's eastern states (Bundesländer), with a population of around 2.1 million. Like several other eastern states, it has seen strong AfD support in recent years, a trend linked to economic frustration, demographic decline, and a political culture that differs in some ways from western Germany.
The AfD has campaigned in Saxony-Anhalt — as it does across Germany — on a platform that includes:
If the AfD finishes first or achieves a result that forces other parties into difficult coalition negotiations, it sends a powerful political signal nationally — even if no other party forms a coalition with the AfD, which remains the stated position of Germany's mainstream parties.
The Local asked its audience of foreigners in Germany how they feel about the prospect of a strong AfD result. The responses were striking in their consistency: concern, fear, and a sense that Germany's democratic values are being tested.
Reader responses included descriptions of a 'disaster for democracy,' worries about physical safety, and anxiety about the normalisation of anti-immigration rhetoric. Several readers noted that even when the AfD does not govern directly, its strong poll numbers push other parties to adopt tougher positions on immigration — a dynamic political scientists call 'issue ownership shift.'
For people of colour, those with visibly non-German backgrounds, or those with accents, the concern is not abstract. Research consistently shows that rising far-right sentiment correlates with increases in reported racist incidents and a more hostile everyday environment.
It is important to be clear about what a state election result can and cannot change for foreigners in Germany:
What it cannot directly change:
What it can influence:
Think of it as a political weather system: a strong AfD result in Saxony-Anhalt does not immediately change the rules, but it can change the climate.
If you hold a valid Aufenthaltstitel, a Niederlassungserlaubnis, or EU freedom of movement rights, those legal protections do not change based on state election outcomes. Your right to remain, work, and access public services is protected by federal and EU law.
However, if you are in the process of applying for a permit, seeking asylum, or planning your Einbürgerung, a political environment that is hostile to immigration can mean:
If your immigration case is time-sensitive, seeking legal advice from an immigration lawyer or a recognised advisory organisation (Migrationsberatung) is always advisable, regardless of political developments.
Not directly. Residence permits and visa decisions are governed by federal law and administered by the Ausländerbehörde according to national rules. A state election result does not change your existing permit or your legal rights. The indirect effects — on political tone, integration budgets, and policy direction — are real but slower-moving.
All of Germany's major parties — CDU, SPD, Greens, FDP, and others — have explicitly stated they will not form a coalition with the AfD. This means that even if the AfD finishes first, it would not automatically lead a government. However, a very strong AfD result could complicate coalition-building and give the party significant leverage in public debate.
You can report incidents to the Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency) at www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de, or to local counselling centres (Beratungsstellen) that specialise in supporting victims of racism. Documenting incidents and knowing your rights is the first practical step.
The Saxony-Anhalt election is a moment that many foreigners in Germany are watching with genuine anxiety, and that concern is understandable. While your legal rights as a foreign resident are protected by federal and EU law, the political signals from this election will shape Germany's immigration debate for months to come. Stay informed, know your rights, and connect with local advisory services if you have concerns about your immigration status.
If you are going through any immigration process right now — permit renewal, Einbürgerung application, asylum claim — this is a good moment to make sure your paperwork is in order and to seek professional advice if needed.
Source: The Local
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