The AfD — Germany's far-right party — is on track to take power in a German federal state for the first time. In an exclusive interview with DW, the party's front-runner in Saxony-Anhalt laid out an agenda that includes detaining immigrants, revamping the school system, and warming relations with Russia. For immigrants and expats living in Germany, this is not a distant political story: it represents a concrete scenario in which state-level administration — which controls significant aspects of daily life for non-citizens — could shift sharply in direction. Understanding what is being proposed, and what powers a state government actually holds, is essential context.
The Saxony-Anhalt front-runner used the DW interview to outline several key policy ambitions:
The AfD has framed these plans as "making history" — a deliberate reference to the fact that no openly far-right party has governed any of Germany's 16 federal states since World War II.
Germany's federal system divides power between the national government (Bund) and the 16 states (Länder). Immigration law is primarily a federal competence — meaning the Aufenthaltstitel you hold, the rules around Einbürgerung, and BAMF procedures are all set at the federal level and cannot simply be changed by a state government.
However, states do have meaningful influence over:
In short, even without changing federal law, an AfD-led state government could make the day-to-day experience of living in Saxony-Anhalt significantly harder for immigrants.
Saxony-Anhalt would be the first German state with an AfD-led government, but the party has been polling strongly in several eastern states for years. The AfD was classified as a proven right-wing extremist organization by Germany's domestic intelligence agency (BfV) in 2025 — a designation the party is legally challenging. That classification has intensified debate about the party's compatibility with Germany's constitutional order, but has not yet led to a ban.
For immigrants and expats, it is worth noting that this development is being closely watched by civil society organizations, legal scholars, and other political parties. Coalition-building constraints may limit what the AfD can actually implement even if it becomes the largest party in the state.
Not unilaterally. Deportation is governed by federal law and requires specific legal grounds. A state government cannot simply decide to detain people without legal basis — doing so would be subject to court challenge. However, state authorities do have discretion in how they enforce existing rules, and a more aggressive approach at the Ausländerbehörde level is a realistic concern.
Directly, no. Your Aufenthaltstitel is issued under federal law and is valid across Germany. However, the political signal sent by an AfD state government could influence national debate and future federal legislation — which is why this development matters beyond Saxony-Anhalt's borders.
Contact your local migrant advice center (Migrationsberatung), a qualified immigration lawyer, or organizations like Pro Asyl. For official information on your residence status, your Ausländerbehörde or BAMF are the primary contacts.
The prospect of an AfD-led state government in Germany is a significant political development that the immigrant and expat community should follow closely. While federal law provides important protections that a state cannot easily override, the practical environment for immigrants in Saxony-Anhalt could change materially. Stay informed, know your rights, and connect with support organizations if you have concerns. If you live in Saxony-Anhalt, it is worth consulting an immigration lawyer to understand exactly how your situation is governed and what protections you have.
Source: DW English
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