Germany’s AfD Rise Sparks ⁣Emigration Fears Among Citizens

A⁣ recent study reveals that the growing popularity of the AfD ⁣party in Germany has led⁣ to increased concerns about emigration among its citizens, particularly those with a migrant background.

According to a study ⁣published by the German Center for Integration and Migration‍ Research (DeZIM), many people in Germany are considering leaving the country or changing states​ due to ⁤the rise of ⁤the AfD, ​especially ⁣in ⁣the eastern states. This‍ trend is more prevalent ‍among individuals with a migrant background.

The study found ⁣that approximately 25% of​ people with at least one emigration ⁣background are contemplating leaving Germany, while​ 12% of those ⁣without ⁤a ‌migration background are considering the same. Furthermore, 9.3% of ⁢respondents with a migration background ‌have already made concrete plans to ⁤migrate, compared to 1.9% of those without‍ a migration background.

The study also revealed that the values are significantly higher when people are asked about‌ plans​ or considerations for moving ⁢to another‌ federal state if the AfD is⁣ part ⁤of the government⁢ in their current country of residence. Between 18% and ⁤34% of people ‌with⁣ a migrant background⁣ are considering such a change, depending on their region of origin,⁣ and 12.5% already have concrete plans for ⁣it.

Almost ⁣60% ​of all respondents expressed fears about the ‌AfD’s plans for‍ the mass expulsion of​ people with a migration background and‌ other ⁣undesirables, what the ⁢party calls “emigration”. Additionally, 72.4% of those questioned classified the‍ AfD as anti-democratic, and ​80% as racist.

The⁤ study’s‍ findings have prompted calls for action from experts, including Sabrina Zajak, ⁣head of DeZIM’s​ Consensus and ​Conflict department, who‍ urged civil ​parties to “clearly distinguish themselves from the ⁣AfD”. Matthias Quent, a Magdeburg sociologist who participated in the study, ⁢emphasized that “extreme right-wing expulsion narratives have harmful effects for⁣ many⁤ people in Germany and damage public ‍peace”.

Gert Pickel, a⁤ Leipzig religious sociologist, warned that the ⁣potential loss of knowledge, ⁣information, and economic capacity due to the AfD’s rise could ⁢have severe consequences, particularly for East⁢ Germany. “Attracting⁤ skilled workers ‍with such ⁤an image will be almost impossible,” he noted.