Mohammad Azmouz, a 57-year-old Syrian barber living in Berlin, described his experience of casting his first vote in Germany as beyond words.

Nevertheless, the recent election outcomes, which indicated a notable rise in support for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, have left him feeling worried about his future.

Azmouz questioned, "What is the source of this hatred? We work hard and have made our lives here. We do not burden society, so why this animosity? We care for the German people."

Asylum policy was a key issue throughout this year's election campaign, contributing to the success of both conservative parties and the AfD, which garnered the highest and second-highest votes, respectively.

Faced with rising living costs and an increasingly unwelcoming atmosphere for immigrants, Azmouz decided to vote for the far-left Die Linke party, which emphasizes social justice and promises additional assistance for low-income families.

He reflected on the growing expenses encountered by residents, recalling the more favorable climate during Angela Merkel's prolonged chancellorship.

A study by DeZIM revealed that financial worries are prevalent among Germans with immigrant backgrounds, with 63.4% expressing concerns about their economic conditions, compared to 46.7% of non-immigrants.

The population of settled migrants in Germany has reached record levels, with more than seven million individuals of immigrant descent eligible to vote, including many former refugees.

While numerous migrants share economic worries, their political preferences vary.

For Mohammed, a Jordanian barber without voting rights, the AfD's ascent signifies an essential political transformation.

He stressed the need for Germany to tighten its borders and voiced support for stricter measures against violent offenders, as well as restrictions on family reunification for refugees.

He remarked, "If there were an AfD party in my country, I would support it."

Historically, the Social Democrats (SPD) have been favored by migrant communities due to their emphasis on workers' rights and social welfare; however, they saw a significant drop in support this election cycle.

Alaa Eddin Mhanna, a Syrian plant operator living near Berlin, shared that he voted for the SPD in the last election but was put off this time by the party’s pro-Ukraine position, which he views as harmful to Germany’s economy.

He expressed frustration at the lack of representation for his views, saying, "No party really represents me."

Mhanna identified economic issues as critical in this election, suggesting that these concerns fueled the AfD's growing prominence.

He expressed worry about the possibility of conservatives forming a coalition with the AfD, stating, "Certainly, the conservatives won't ally with them, but their name will be significant in opposition, and that worries me."

Azmouz remained optimistic, hoping Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), would steer Germany toward prosperity while promoting a compassionate governance approach that benefits all residents, including refugees.

He stated, "We hope that the ruling party will show kindness to the people — not just refugees, but all German citizens."