{
  "id": 6740654,
  "title": "Turks in Germany anxious after AfD wins in Saxony-Anhalt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/turks-in-germany-anxious-after-afd-wins-in-saxony-anhalt-6740654",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-11T10:07:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/turks-in-germany-anxious-after-afd-wins-in-saxony-anhalt/a-79221764?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "People of Turkish origin in eastern Germany are anxious following the Alternative for Germany party's win in Saxony-Anhalt. The party secured 43.8% of the vote in the state election, prompting concern nationwide.\n\nAccording to Gökay Sofuoglu, co-chair of the Turkish Community in Germany, business owners of Turkish descent in Saxony-Anhalt are especially alarmed, with some considering shutting up shop and leaving the region, and potentially Germany. Sofuoglu stated that the initial response was emotional, but some are now waiting to see how the government forms before making a decision.\n\nThe Turkish Community in Germany views the AfD's election win as a threat to democracy in Germany, with Sofuoglu saying it is a problem for the country as a whole. He believes the party's true target is Germany's constitution, rather than just migration.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Turks in Germany anxious after AfD wins in Saxony-Anhalt",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/turks-in-germany-anxious-after-afd-wins-in-saxony-anhalt",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:07:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}