Turks in Germany anxious after AfD wins in Saxony-Anhalt

The alternative far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won a significant share of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt's state election, sparking nationwide alarm. People of Turkish origin are particularly concerned about the party's rise. Gökay Sofuoglu, co-chair of the Turkish Community in Germany, expressed worry that some Turkish business owners in Saxony-Anhalt were considering closing their shops and leaving the country, at least temporarily.

However, many in the Turkish community are waiting to see how a potential new government will be formed before making any drastic decisions. Sofuoglu believes that the AfD's success is a threat to Germany's democracy and even its constitution, rather than just a concern about migration. The party's heavy campaign against migration has fueled this negative perception.

So far, the AfD's victory has raised fears of increased nationalist violence in Germany, reminiscent of past neo-Nazi terror attacks. However, some argue that merely expressing concern is insufficient; instead, the focus should be on addressing the underlying causes that allowed the AfD to gain such strong support. Experts like Alaz Sümer, a lawyer working with a Berlin NGO, emphasize the need for established parties to tackle the problems that enabled the AfD's success.

Irmak, another Turkish-origin resident in Leipzig, notes that the rise of the AfD is predictable, but suggests that addressing structural issues is necessary to counter the party's influence. German authorities must approach the AfD cautiously, according to Sümer, as banning the party could lead to the emergence of more extremist groups, potentially making Germany less welcoming for migrants.

The Turkish community in Germany, which makes up roughly 10% of the population in Saxony-Anhalt and around 3 million nationwide, remains vigilant in the face of this political shift.