Berlin residents express concern over AfD rise and voting rights

Foreign residents in Berlin are expressing growing concern regarding the political direction of Germany, particularly with the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Some long-term residents suggest that the AfD's potential influence could lead to a loss of the democracy and tolerance they value, with some even considering emigration to countries like Turkey.

While the AfD holds significant national polling support at nearly 30 percent, its influence in diverse Berlin districts like Kreuzberg remains low. Beyond political shifts, residents face economic pressures including rising rents, fuel costs, and electricity prices, as well as bureaucratic hurdles for entrepreneurs.

A significant portion of Berlin's population—approximately 976,000 adults, or about one-quarter of the city's 3.9 million residents—lacks voting rights due to their citizenship status. This disenfranchisement is a point of frustration for taxpayers who feel their lives are directly impacted by budget decisions regarding services like childcare and language courses, yet they cannot participate in the electoral process.