The City Revealing Germany’s Deep Migration Divide

Schwerin Faces Political Shift Amid Migration Debate

Holm emphasized that the migration issue is the foremost concern among voters. Speaking to POLITICO, he noted that after recent attacks in Magdeburg and Aschaffenburg, public sentiment has grown increasingly critical of the current approach to migration. “This is the main topic we hear about at information stands—people feel like things can’t continue this way,” he stated.

While addressing supporters, Holm warned that the influx of migrants in Schwerin and nearby areas, including those housed in a local refugee center, could have long-term effects on the region’s identity and security.

“Our cities have changed so much that in some places, they barely resemble Germany anymore,” he told the crowd. “We see this transformation unfolding here in Schwerin as well—but rather than progress, it feels like a step backward.”

A Shift Toward Radicalization

It remains uncertain which political vision will prevail in Schwerin. The election forecast website zweitstimme.org predicts a likely victory for Holm and the AfD.

This aligns with broader trends in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the AfD has been gaining support while the SPD has seen a decline since the 2021 federal election. Back then, the SPD secured 29 percent of the vote, 11 points ahead of the AfD. However, current polls indicate that the AfD has surged to 29 percent, overtaking the SPD, which now stands at 21 percent.

One of the key political figures opposing this shift is Alabali-Radovan, a member of parliament who also leads the German government’s anti-racism initiatives and oversees migration and refugee policy. She brings personal experience to the issue, having been born in Moscow to Iraqi parents before moving to Germany as a child.

“People have become more radical—both in their views and in their statements. Conversations are sometimes impossible,” Alabali-Radovan observed. “That worries me because when dialogue breaks down, it becomes difficult to make progress. Right now, that’s the political mood, and it reflects the broader public debate.”