In brief
The Alternative for Germany (AfD), traditionally rooted in the East, has seen increasing support in Western Germany, particularly in Duisburg, as it attempts to expand its appeal with a revised yet consistent anti-immigrant stance.
On a warm spring day in Duisburg, a prominent city in Western Germany's industrial landscape, local council member Alan Imamura engaged with constituents in a bustling shopping area. Imamura, a leading representative of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), indicated a significant shift in public perception toward the party. Once met with hostility when posting campaign materials, he now receives expressions of approval from the public, reflecting the party's rising popularity in a region traditionally resistant to its ideology.Historically, the AfD garnered substantial support from the former East Germany. However, its foothold in Western territories is growing, as evidenced by electoral results from February's federal elections, where certain neighborhoods in Duisburg reported support for the AfD approaching 40 percent. "It’s so different," Imamura remarked. "Five years ago, people spat on me. Today, they say, ‘Finally.’"Originating over ten years ago from anti-euro sentiments, the AfD has pivoted towards a staunchly anti-immigrant platform, leading to its classification as an extremist party by Germany's domestic intelligence service. A confidential report by this agency, detailed by Der Spiegel magazine, highlights a prevailing xenophobic sentiment among the party's leadership. Notably, figures such as Bjorn Höcke have been called out for reciting archaic Nazi slogans and advocating for severe deportation policies. As the AfD endeavors to reshape its image to attract a broader voter base in the West, its rhetoric remains heavily entrenched in its original anti-immigrant sentiments. This dual approach aims at solidifying its position while appealing to a larger demographic amid a rapidly changing political landscape in Germany.
