Saxony-Anhalt split over AfD win: joy and fear on the streets of Burg

The German state of Saxony-Anhalt is deeply divided after state elections, with half the population celebrating the far-right AfD's victory as salvation and the other half fearing for democracy. The AfD won nearly half the vote in the town of Burg, where residents openly clash over the result. AfD supporters in Burg cite immigration concerns and frustration with established parties, framing their vote as a "warning to Berlin," while opponents like Ms. Häberlein, whose mother fled Silesia in 1945, warn of repeating history. The AfD drew strongest support from men aged 35-59 with practical education and lower incomes. Saxony-Anhalt, a former East German state, faces above-average unemployment, low pensions, and population decline, with Burg shrinking 15% since reunification. Some AfD voters back mass deportations, though others say immigrants who work are welcome, while a possible AfD-led coalition with the BSW party remains uncertain.