As the Bible study session ended and worshippers gathered for coffee and cake, Fatemeh, 44, was visibly shaken as the discussion turned to Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt. “I worry about it every day,” she said. “I can’t stop thinking about my son and what might happen to us.” Three years ago, she and her son fled Iran after he was stopped by police during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in police custody. Now living in Saxony-Anhalt, they are waiting for a final decision on their asylum application. During this time, her son has grown into a talented athlete and developed a skill for fixing vehicles. However, the political landscape in Saxony-Anhalt has cast a long shadow over their future. Polls suggest that the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) could win the most votes in Sunday’s election, potentially forming the first state government in Germany led by the party. The AfD has promised to begin deportations immediately if it gains power, which has left Fatemeh in fear. “They might send us back to Iran,” she said. “As a converted Christian, that could mean the death penalty for me.” The AfD, known for its anti-immigrant, anti-Islam, and antisemitic rhetoric, is classified as a right-wing extremist party by German authorities. If it wins, it could transform Saxony-Anhalt into a testing ground for its policies, which include separating refugee children in education, redirecting funds from integration programs to remigration efforts, and rejecting the recognition of Ukrainians as war refugees. For migrant communities in the state, the election has become a deeply personal and urgent issue. “We’ve never seen emotions run so high over an election,” said Undra Dreßler of Lamsa, an umbrella group for migrant organizations in Saxony-Anhalt. She noted that daily calls have come in from people considering leaving the state due to rising fear and uncertainty. “For those with migrant backgrounds, it feels like this vote is about their right to exist and their security,” she said. Tensions in Saxony-Anhalt have been heightened since late 2024, when a Saudi man drove into a crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing six and injuring hundreds. Although the attacker was described as an anti-Islam activist with ties to the far right, right-wing groups seized the moment to blame migrants and minorities for the state’s problems. In the aftermath, reports of racist attacks and harassment against migrants and people of color surged. “By mid-2025, we had received as many reports of racist insults and attacks as we did in all of 2024,” said Dreßler. “As right-wing forces grow stronger, everyday racism and discrimination have become part of everyday life.” The impact of these tensions is evident in the daily lives of people like Kirti, a 27-year-old Indian student in Magdeburg. “When you’re on the street, some people harass you verbally,” he said. “They show you the middle finger.” Many foreign students and migrants in Saxony-Anhalt report feeling unsafe and considering leaving the state. With as many as 80% of people with a migration background considering relocation, the potential AfD victory has raised concerns about the stability of the region. “The fear is that we lose people because of what happens on 6 September,” said Ketevan Asatiani-Hermann, a member of the Advisory Council for Integration and Migration in Magdeburg. “And Saxony-Anhalt is dependent on migrants, so it’s absolutely necessary that they stay here.” Foreign nationals make up about 9% of the state’s population, with many working in critical sectors such as healthcare and elderly care. Without them, the state’s infrastructure could face significant strain.