Following a tumultuous election campaign fraught with violence attributed to migrants, tensions are rising in Germany. The far-right AfD is gaining ground, leading to apprehensions among Syrian migrants like Mohammad Bitar about shifting attitudes towards them. Concerns mount as Germany's government has already frozen asylum applications for Syrians and proposed further restrictions, including tight border controls and limitations on family reunification. The turbulent political climate leaves many wondering about their safety and the futures of their families.
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government already froze asylum applications for Syrians after the fall of long-time president Bashar al-Assad late last year.
Bitar, an academic specialising in international law, said he arrived in Germany a year and a half ago.
Merz has vowed tight controls on German borders, deportations of rejected asylum seekers, and an end to family reunifications for some categories of asylum seekers.
Bitar fears the climate is darkening and that the message towards migrants may shift to one of 'we don't want you anymore'.
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