As the state elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg loom closer, minority groups are sounding the alarm on the potential rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). With the party polling at around 30% in Thuringia, concerns are growing about the implications of the AfD’s policies on local, national, and even European politics.
Syrian refugee and German citizen Majid Albunni is urging others to speak out against the AfD, emphasizing the need for pro-democracy activism. The American Jewish Committee and Central Council of Jews in Germany have also issued warnings about the party’s antisemitic ideology and links to extremism, highlighting the risks of a locked political system if other parties are forced to form coalitions with the AfD.
The AfD’s proposal to hold a referendum on Germany’s EU membership has raised concerns among minority groups, with Gokay Sofuoglu of the Turkish Community in Germany warning that the party’s policies could threaten the entire European system. The AfD’s focus on migration and refugees has been heightened by recent events, such as a fatal attack allegedly carried out by a Syrian national in Solingen, which the party has capitalized on in its campaign.
Despite these challenges, Albunni remains hopeful that German society will reject extremism. As the elections approach, the warnings from minority groups serve as a reminder of the significant impact the results could have on Germany and Europe as a whole.
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