Ahead of state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) is leading opinion polls by a clear margin — and political scientists say this result should not be dismissed as a regional quirk. For the roughly 10 million foreign nationals living in Germany, election results at state level matter: federal states (Bundesländer) control significant areas of policy including how integration programmes are run, how the Ausländerbehörde operates in practice, and the general political climate for minorities. This article explains what the polls mean, what experts are saying, and what expats in eastern Germany — or those considering a move there — should know.
Saxony-Anhalt is one of Germany's eastern federal states (Bundesländer), located in the heart of the country. The AfD has consistently polled strongly in eastern Germany since the party's founding, but current figures show the party at the front of the field with a lead that, if replicated on election day, could force other parties into difficult coalition negotiations — or leave the AfD in a position to lead or co-lead government.
Party researcher Höhne argues that treating AfD strength in the east as a unique anomaly is a mistake. In his analysis, the conditions that drive AfD support — economic anxiety, distrust of established institutions, and a sense of cultural dislocation — are present across Germany, with eastern states simply showing trends that may be emerging nationally. "Der Osten ist eher das Normal" ("The east is closer to the norm"), he argues, suggesting the rest of Germany should pay attention.
The AfD's official platform includes several positions that would directly affect people with an immigrant background living in Germany:
It is important to note that many of these positions would require federal-level changes to implement fully — state governments cannot unilaterally rewrite immigration law. However, the discretionary space available to state administrations is real and meaningful.
To understand why the AfD polls so strongly in the east, it helps to understand the historical context. The former East Germany (DDR) had a very different experience of immigration: labour migrants from socialist-aligned countries (such as Mozambique and Vietnam) lived under tightly controlled conditions with little integration. After reunification, rapid economic change, population loss, and a persistent wage gap between east and west created conditions that the AfD has successfully exploited politically.
This does not mean everyone in eastern Germany holds anti-immigration views — far from it. Many eastern cities, including Leipzig and Halle, have active civil society networks that support integration and oppose far-right politics. But the political landscape is genuinely different, and anyone considering relocating to an eastern Bundesland should factor this into their decision-making.
Your Aufenthaltstitel is issued under federal law, so a state government cannot cancel or invalidate it. However, the Ausländerbehörde operates at state and local level, and an AfD-led government could direct administrators to apply rules more strictly — for example, in decisions about renewals, discretionary extensions, or the processing speed of applications. If you live in Saxony-Anhalt and have a permit renewal coming up, it is wise to apply well in advance and ensure all your documents are in order.
Directly, only Saxony-Anhalt — but the political implications extend nationally. If the AfD enters state government successfully, it strengthens the party's position in federal politics and increases pressure on mainstream parties to adopt stricter immigration rhetoric or policy. This is a trend worth monitoring regardless of where in Germany you live.
Several organisations offer free or low-cost legal advice for immigrants in Germany. These include the Caritas, Diakonie, AWO (Arbeiterwohlfahrt), and specialised migration counselling services (Migrationsberatung) funded by the federal government. BAMF also provides an overview of advisory services on its website.
The AfD's strength in Saxony-Anhalt is a political reality that the expat and immigrant community should monitor — not to cause alarm, but to stay informed and prepared. Federal law protects many of your rights regardless of which party governs a Bundesland, but the practical experience of living as a foreigner in a region can be shaped by local political culture. Stay connected with local support networks, keep your documents up to date, and consult a qualified immigration lawyer (Fachanwalt für Ausländerrecht) if you have concerns about your specific situation.
Source: tagesschau
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