As Germany Shifts to the Right, Migrants Navigate Uncertainty and Hope

Berlin:

Mohammad Azmouz, a Syrian barber living in Berlin, described casting his first-ever vote at the age of 57 as an indescribable feeling. However, the historic rise in support for Germany’s anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has left him anxious about his future.

“Why this hatred? We work, and we have established ourselves. We are not a burden on society, so why this hatred? We love the German people,” Azmouz said.

Germany’s asylum policy was one of the most significant topics in this year’s election, leading the conservatives and the AfD to secure first and second place, respectively.

Concerned about an increasingly hostile atmosphere and the rising cost of living, Azmouz voted for the far-left Die Linke party, which campaigned on social justice and promised more support for low-income households.

“We now miss the days when Mrs. Merkel was in charge of the government,” he said, referring to former Chancellor Angela Merkel. “Now everything is expensive… It feels like one is running and running without ever catching up.”

Amid an economic downturn, Germans with an immigrant background are more worried about their finances than the rest of the population. A recent DeZIM study found that 63.4% of migrants share this concern, compared to 46.7% of non-immigrants.

Germany’s settled migrant population has never been higher. More than seven million Germans with an immigrant background were eligible to vote in this election, including hundreds of thousands of former refugees.

Others expressed similar concerns about the state of the economy, though not all turned to the left for solutions.

For Mohammed, a Jordanian barber who is not a voting citizen, the rise of the AfD represents an opportunity to shake things up in the country. He also believes Germany has the right to protect its borders and population.

Acknowledging mistakes made by the migrant community, he said he supports a tougher stance on violent offenders and backs restrictions on family reunification for refugees.

“If there were an AfD party in my country, I would vote for it,” he said.

Historically, Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) were the most popular among migrants due to their advocacy for workers’ rights, social welfare, and integration. However, the party suffered significant losses in this election.

Alaa Eddin Mhanna, a Syrian plant operator living in Ludwigsfelde near Berlin, voted for the SPD in 2021 but was deterred this year by its pro-Ukraine policy, which he believes has also hurt the economy.

“No party truly represents me,” Mhanna said.

The faltering economy was his biggest concern in this election, he said, adding that it also explains the AfD’s rise.

“I am anxious. Of course, the conservatives won’t form a coalition with them, but they will have a significant presence as opposition, and I am worried about this,” he added.

Azmouz expressed hope that Germany’s next leader, Friedrich Merz, would steer the country toward prosperity.

“We hope that the party that has taken over will have mercy on the people—not just refugees, but all German citizens,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)