Ahead of the elections in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, polls show the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party clearly in the lead with over 40% of the vote.

The AfD ranks first in polls with 40-43% of the vote. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is in second place with 22-23%.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD), the government's junior partner, is polling at 7-9%. The Greens are seen at 5-6%.

The AfD achieving an absolute majority in the state parliament raises the possibility of it coming to power in a German state for the first time.

Saxony-Anhalt's Office for the Protection of the Constitution, responsible for domestic intelligence, classified the AfD as 'definitively far-right' in 2023.

Approximately 200,000 foreigners live in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Foreigners are concerned about the AfD's potential victory and rise to power. Many German voters share this concern.

Hamdi Kayısı, a business owner in Magdeburg, stated that he does not want the AfD to come to power, but such a risk exists.

Kayısı said, "For us foreigners, for Turks, Afghans, Syrians, and those from other countries, it will primarily be a poisoned atmosphere."

Kayısı stated that the AfD conducts politics and propaganda with the rhetoric of deporting foreigners, adding, "It has poisoned the atmosphere. It's hard to predict how this poisoning will come back to us. It will come to us in many ways, including violence from neo-Nazi groups, or perhaps they will make life so difficult for those they cannot legally deport that they will be forced to flee."

'This is our second homeland'

Kayısı commented, "I am concerned not only for foreigners but also for the German people. In a democratic regime they established at a cost, they are now about to elect the executioner of that democratic regime with their votes."

Kayısı stated that at least 80% of those who vote for the AfD know what they are choosing, saying, "They know they are choosing racism and fascism. This is a very bad and dangerous course of events."

Emphasizing that democratic forces must fight together, Kayısı said, "This has become our second homeland. We live here, we earn our living here. That's why we cannot turn our backs on the problems here. Those who think, 'I earn my bread, German politics doesn't concern me,' are mistaken."

Kayısı argued that the AfD's election program would set German society back 100 years.

Kayısı recalled that on August 26, businesses owned by people of immigrant origin in Magdeburg held a protest by closing their shutters against racism and discrimination. He added that some businesses received threats after this action.

Teacher Kavita Ghone-Schmiedecke also expressed concern about the AfD's vote share rising above 40%. Ghone-Schmiedecke said, "I have children here, and I know that the AfD could ruin everything in the field of education. I am worried about my children's education."

Ghone-Schmiedecke also stated that she is concerned as a teacher. She explained that she fears facing pressure because of her immigrant background.

'What are you doing here?' they ask"

Ghone-Schmiedecke also conveyed her concern about the AfD's use of the word 'Remigration.' This word means sending foreigners and people of immigrant origin back to their countries. She said that Germany is her homeland, her friends and family live here, and she does not want to leave.

Ghone-Schmiedecke, who has lived in this state for 25 years, said, "For the last 6-7 years, I've been encountering not just strange looks, but also strange comments. People who are complete strangers to me come up and ask, 'What are you doing here?'"

Waiter Florian Osmani expressed sadness that so many people in Saxony-Anhalt would choose the AfD.

Osmani said, "I am concerned for all people of immigrant origin regarding the future." He noted that there are problems to be solved in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, but he is disturbed by the use of racist approaches.

A citizen named Bloch stated that he wants a stable government to be formed after the elections. He said, "This seems difficult due to the AfD's quite high vote share. I, however, am close to the established parties."

Expressing concern about the AfD coming to power, Bloch commented, "When I hear that they want to terminate the State Media Treaty (Medienstaatsvertrag) and take serious action against churches, I get a bit worried about that."

Many people stated that they are concerned about the AfD potentially coming to power. However, they did not want to speak openly and by their own names in the media, fearing that it could lead to negative consequences in the future.