Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka says the AfD's recent election win in Saxony-Anhalt signals a dangerous rise in normalized racism against Roma communities.

Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, executive director of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, warned that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's recent election win in Saxony-Anhalt has normalized racism. Speaking on September 7, she stated that Roma communities are often the first targets of such political shifts. She noted that the party's nativist agenda and rhetoric reflect a broader, concerning trend across Europe regarding the treatment of minority groups.

Concerns over political discourse

Mirga-Kruszelnicka highlighted that some AfD politicians have used derogatory terms to describe the Roma, echoing historical targeting. She emphasized that the discourse against Sinti and Roma, some of whom have lived in Germany for 500 years, is increasingly legitimizing discrimination. The AfD manifesto explicitly calls for a pro-ethnic German government, which she argues fosters an environment where racism is viewed as acceptable.

Potential impact on migration policy

Ulrich Siegmund, set to become the first far-right premier of a German state since World War II, has stated intentions to begin the deportation of irregular migrants immediately. Mirga-Kruszelnicka expressed concern that these policies could affect non-German Roma, including those who arrived during the Balkan wars or following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Her concerns align with comments from Council of Europe human rights commissioner Michael O’Flaherty, who previously labeled the treatment of Roma a major human rights scandal.