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

Nevertheless, the recent election results, which revealed a marked increase in backing for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, have made him anxious about what lies ahead.

Azmouz expressed his confusion, saying, "Why this hatred? We work hard and have established our lives here. We are not a burden on society, so why this disdain? We love the German people."

Asylum policy was a crucial theme in this election campaign, which contributed to the successes of both conservative parties and the AfD, which garnered the highest and second highest vote counts, respectively.

Faced with rising living expenses and a growing hostile climate for immigrants, Azmouz chose to support the far-left Die Linke party, which emphasized social justice and promised increased aid for low-income families.

He reflected on the higher costs of living for residents, recalling the more favorable conditions during Angela Merkel's lengthy term as Chancellor.

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

The number of settled migrants in Germany has reached a historic peak, with over seven million individuals of immigrant origin eligible to vote, including many former refugees.

While many migrants are worried about the economy, their political preferences vary.

For Mohammed, a Jordanian barber without voting rights, the rise of the AfD signifies an essential political change.

He highlighted the necessity for Germany to secure its borders and expressed 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 vote for it."

Historically, the Social Democrats (SPD) have enjoyed popularity among migrant populations due to their focus on workers' rights and social welfare; however, they saw a significant drop in support during this election cycle.

Alaa Eddin Mhanna, a Syrian plant operator residing near Berlin, noted that he had voted for the SPD in the past but was discouraged this time because of the party's pro-Ukraine position, which he believes harms Germany’s economy.

He voiced his frustration about the lack of representation for his views, saying, "No party truly represents me."

Mhanna identified economic issues as critical in this election and suggested that these concerns contributed to the AfD's growing prominence.

He expressed his fear regarding the possibility of the conservatives forming a coalition with the AfD, commenting, "Of course, the conservatives won't form a coalition with them, but they will have significant influence as opposition, and I am worried about that."

Azmouz conveyed a sense of hope, wishing for Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), to lead Germany toward prosperity while promoting a compassionate governance approach that benefits all residents, including refugees.

He stated, "We hope that the party that has taken over will show mercy to the people — not just refugees, but all German citizens."