Germany Faces Divisive Election

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The upcoming German election has been marked by a significant rise in the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has sparked concerns over immigration and national security. The AfD's anti-immigrant stance has gained traction among voters, particularly in the eastern state of Thuringia, where the party has established a stronghold. Syrian refugees Zeeham and Eva Shalaby, who have lived in Germany for seven years, are among those who are worried about their future in the country. Zeeham has learned fluent German, studied to work as a teacher's aide, and Eva is about to finish school, but they still face the risk of being sent back to their home country.

The AfD's hardline anti-immigrant stance has been fueled by a series of attacks perpetrated by people seeking asylum in Germany, including a car-ramming and stabbing attack that left 11 dead and hundreds injured. The party has politicized these tragedies, using them to justify their call for the mass deportation of migrants. The AfD's leader, Alice Weidel, has been able to present a more moderate side of the party, but her own views are not as extreme as those of some of her party members. Weidel has endorsed the idea of "remigration," which involves sending migrants back to their home countries, a position that has been identified with the often Islamophobic hard right.

The rise of the AfD has triggered deep soul-searching in the German political establishment, with some historians drawing comparisons to the far right in the 1920s and '30s. However, others argue that the situation is different today, with Germany being acutely aware of its own history and looking back to the ultimate catastrophe of the 1930s as a reference point. The AfD's capacity or willingness to dismantle democracy is not the same as that of the Nazis, and the party's voters are not motivated by a resentment of democracy itself. Instead, the AfD's support is driven by a desire for change and a sense of disillusionment with the mainstream parties.

The German government is at a crossroads, seeking to balance the need for skilled labor with national security concerns. The country has implemented measures to control illegal immigration, including establishing controls at all its borders, and has passed laws to expedite the deportation of immigrants with expulsion orders. However, the integration of Afghan refugees presents significant challenges, with many facing cultural and labor barriers. Organizations like the UNHCR and Accem have highlighted the vulnerability of Afghan refugees and the need for protection, but violent incidents have led to a debate on the security and effectiveness of integration policies. The future of Germany's immigration policy remains uncertain, with the election outcome likely to have a significant impact on the country's approach to integration.

The election has also sparked concerns about the potential for a grand coalition between the Christian and Social Democrats, which could lead to a crisis of the German political economy. The AfD's rise has triggered a shift towards more hate and extremist positions, which could have serious consequences for the country's stability and its relationship with the European Union. The party's support is not limited to the eastern states, with voters across the country expressing concerns about immigration and national security. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how the mainstream parties will respond to the AfD's challenge and whether they will be able to address the concerns of voters and prevent the party's further rise.