BERLIN — The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has long stoked anti-immigration sentiment but it’s making an exception for many Russian-speaking migrants from the former Soviet Union when AfD politicians hosted a meeting in the German parliament to shed light on the conditions facing so-called Russlanddeutschen or Russian Germans — ethnic Germans from the post-Soviet space who settled in Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall “The fate of Russian Germans and their future in Germany and elsewhere is close to our hearts,” said Jürgen Braun, an AfD parliamentarian, during the event The event illustrated the AfD’s ever-more-focused efforts to appeal to an estimated 5 million immigrants in Germany who hail from the former Soviet Union Though Russian-speakers in Germany are by no means a singular bloc — and the group increasingly includes many Ukrainians and Russian dissidents who are repelled by the AfD’s Kremlin-friendly stances — their political power in Germany is broadly set to grow amid continuing migration from former Soviet states and the easing of German citizenship rules That helps explain why, a year ahead of a federal election and with current polls putting the AfD in second place politicians in the party are making a concerted effort to reach Russian speakers — particularly Russian Germans also referred to in Germany as “late resettlers.” During the parliamentary group meeting AfD politicians called for raising pension payments for Russian Germans and for removing obstacles for further immigration from Russia It is a striking policy agenda for a party that has often vilified immigrants but sees the segments of the post Soviet diaspora as a potential electoral boon “They are trying to become an exclusive party for Russian-speakers supposedly by defending their interests,” said Dmitri Stratievski director of the Eastern Europe Centre in Berlin Stratievski said it is difficult to determine how well those efforts are working because the diaspora itself is hard to define but it seems to indicate that Russian-speakers began gravitating toward the AfD in greater numbers than the wider electorate during the pandemic suggested the Russlanddeutschen — who descend from German emigres to the Russian Empire — were indeed reciprocating the party’s attention “We are putting forward the message that the AfD is the representative of Russian Germans,” she said during the caucus event “They have already supported us and found us,” she went on The borough of Marzahn-Hellersdorf on the eastern outskirts of Berlin is known for its high concentration of immigrants from Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union Dotted with East German-era apartment blocks it also happens to be among the most far-right districts in the city In the European election in June, the AfD came in first in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, receiving 25.3 percent of the vote, more than any other Berlin district. In other areas of the country, the AfD has also done disproportionately well in some areas with large numbers of Russian Germans an 84-year-old local AfD politician who lives in Marzahn-Hellersdorf and is himself a Russian German was thrilled with the European election result — and had done his best to bring it about Henke puts out a local Russian-language newspaper financed by the party — and adorned with the AfD’s check-mark logo — called “Let’s Get to Work writes on what he believes to be the dangers of migration from Muslim countries and rails against the German government’s severing of close relations with the Kremlin following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine decrying the German government’s supposed acceptance of “70 different genders” and depicting a country in stark decline due to progressive politics “Things in Germany are really going very badly indeed,” Henke wrote in one recent essay understand the country in which they live a little better,” he recently said from the living room of his tidy home Henke went on to claim that the AfD has won the support of most Russian speakers in his area because they did not understand German well enough to read the lies promoted by mainstream news outlets and German public broadcasters “They do not become victims of the official propaganda to the extent that the local population does,” Henke said Russian-language channels that puppet Kremlin propaganda on the war in Ukraine have drawn large numbers of subscribers in Germany The AfD first began targeting Russian speakers around 2016 when Russian state media outlets operating in Germany peddled a fabricated story about a Russian-German girl who had supposedly been raped by Arab migrants in Marzahn-Hellersdorf The fake story was seen as a Russian disinformation campaign meant to sow division and discord in Germany — and the Russian state outlets that pushed the narrative have since been banned Sensing political opportunity in the Russian-speaking community following the episode the AfD began to translate its electoral program into Russian started hanging up Russian-language posters and put forward candidates with Russian backgrounds student at Central European University studying the political mobilization of Russian speakers in Germany “This all gave Russian speakers in Germany a sense of belonging —  like there is a party here that is not afraid to talk to us,’” Sablina said “None of the other German parties were paying particular attention to them.” Far from everyone in the Russian-speaking diaspora is enticed a 67-year-old Dresden resident who left the Soviet Union in 1982 said she is dismayed at the advances the AfD has made in her community describing the party as “fascists in suits,” adding: “In no circumstances Kutz has retained her loyalty to the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) invited ethnic Germans in the Soviet space to come to Germany and had long been a party of choice in the community But that loyalty has eroded — in no small part due to the war in Ukraine The AfD has taken a pro-Russia stance that has appealed to many Russian Germans while centrist parties have supported military aid for Ukraine and a severing of economic ties with Russia a sense that increasing “Russophobia” has coincided with the war in Ukraine has also served to forge a greater sense of group identity — and resentment “In response to the perceived rise of ‘Russophobia’ in Western countries, many Russian speakers in Germany leveraged Telegram to establish channels that aligned with Russia’s official rhetoric,” read a recent report published by the Berlin-based Centre for East European and International Studies The AfD also jumped at the chance to further its appeal to Russian speakers in Germany following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine Members of the party launched an association that purports to provide legal assistance to Russian Germans and Russian speakers “who have become victims of discrimination or exclusion as a result of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.” The approach was also on display during the AfD’s recent parliamentary group meeting or has Russian roots was “quickly assigned to the fifth column” inside Germany when the war began said AfD politician Denis Pauli during the event “That is why many Russian Germans support the AfD’s decision to take a neutral role in this conflict in order to provide a platform for future peace talks and initiatives and likewise demand for an end to the conflict,” he said “the history of the Russian Germans is increasingly becoming an absolute success story.” Alternative for Germany is back in the spotlight over Saxony politician’s business dealings in Belarus Minsk defense official rails against Japanese augmented reality game missiles and military aid for Ukraine is hampering coalition building in Germany’s east Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the episode demonstrated the widening reach of Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine By entering your email address and clicking “Submit,” you agree to receive updates from the Open Society Foundations about our work. To learn more about how we use and protect your personal data, please view our privacy policy This report is part of a six-city research series which examines the realities of people from majority populations in Aarhus White Working Class Communities in Berlin explores the views and experiences of the majority population living in the northern parts of the former East Berlin district of Marzahn-Hellersdorf with high indicators of social The report focuses on six areas of local policy—education and civil and political and participation—as well as broader themes of belonging and identity and the role of the media the consequences of processes unleashed by the German reunification are still acutely felt in Marzahn-Hellersdorf The population in the district falls into two distinct groups: an older generation shaped by the old GDR regime who came to the area when it was initially developed; a younger generation including the children of the older group; and new arrivals who mostly have an immigrant background The differences between these groups have created a wide gap that has affected collaboration among them reaching from the federal level down to the local government have further prevented inclusive participation of the local population in political The report highlights the urgent need to address this and the many assets available among the residents of Marzahn-Hellersdorf Download the complete 157-page report in German and partners about how we’re working around the world to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people Every year the Open Society Foundations give thousands of grants to groups and individuals that work on issues we focus on—promoting justice The first club in Berlin has received permission for cannabis cultivation. The Marzahn-Hellersdorf district approved the Green Leaf Society's application, as stated in a district press release, writes Die Stimme Berlins according to translation “We are thrilled that Marzahn-Hellersdorf district reviewed our application pragmatically and impartially and granted approval promptly," Jana Halbreiter, chair of the initiative Green Leaf Society, told the German Press Agency, writes ASB Zeitung The news comes on the heels of the Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales (Lageso) being chosen as the authority in charge of approving cannabis cultivation associations in Berlin so the districts are temporarily responsible for these types of permits “The application of the Green Leaf Society can certainly be considered exemplary in many respects,” said Gordon Lemm A Social Democratic Party (SPD) politician Lemm said there are still rigorous requirements for these types of permits under the cannabis law the application we received is characterized by a high level of responsibility and serious structural considerations which have greatly facilitated our decision-making.” Green Leaf Society plans to establish the cultivation facility binding agreements with manufacturers and suppliers and train volunteers we plan to cultivate the initial batch and anticipate being able to legally distribute cannabis for the first time in December,” added Halbreiter Read Also: 25 German Cities Join Cannabis Pilot Trials In 2024 Under New Legalization Law Meanwhile, Lower Saxony's Health Minister Andreas Philippi confirmed lawmakers will soon introduce a catalog of fines for violations of the cannabis laws. Several other federal states have already created their catalogs, writes Hamburger Abendblatt and it is now under review,” the SPD politician told the German Press Agency in Hannover the parliamentary secretary of the Christian Democratic Union called for high fines of up to several thousand euros Some other federal states already have predefined fines in a catalog that must be paid if someone smokes cannabis close to schools Philippi said that the demand for cannabis-related counseling has increased since cannabis legalization took effect compared to previous years The Health Minister said it is expected the demand for counseling is yet to increase this year His biggest concerns are teenagers between 15-17 who are not allowed to legally consume marijuana but who often have 18-year-old friends who are “How can you control who is sitting around and smoking in the evening?” Philippi asked but the question is where we will get the funding for it.” Benzinga does not provide investment advice free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about Curious about what’s next for the industry and how to stay ahead in today’s competitive market Join top executives, investors, and industry leaders at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on June 9-10 and brand-building insights that will define the future of cannabis Secure your spot now before prices go up—this is where the biggest deals and connections happen Get your tickets today and trade ideas delivered to your inbox every weekday before and after the market closes Photo Gallery: Germany Addresses Its Asylum Problem then they come here and they are called criminals," says Turgay Ulu a Turkish journalist and former political prisoner who came to Germany about two years ago as an asylum seeker He's sitting on a tattered sofa in a makeshift protest camp in the middle of Oranienplatz a central square in Berlin's Kreuzberg district Ulu and some 200 fellow refugees have been occupying the square since October of last year gesturing in turn at a group of men playing foosball under a blue-and-white-striped big top and two others helping a toddler blow soap bubbles in the middle of the square The protests in Hellersdorf have been orchestrated predominantly by the right-wing extremist National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) as it strives for relevance in the upcoming election But they are symptomatic of a second significant refugee-related challenge currently facing Germany: The number of asylum seekers arriving in the country is rising rapidly and has far outpaced the ability to properly house them Cities are struggling to keep up with the influx but the problem has been particularly acute in Berlin even if they will ultimately be relocated elsewhere in the country in accordance with Germany's geographical allocation system and the reserve capacity established for spikes in arrival numbers has proved insufficient Officials are currently rushing to establish new housing "If I want to create a shelter for refugees just like with any construction project," says Franz Allert head of the Berlin city-state authority responsible for asylum seekers "It doesn't go faster … just because they are asylum seeker shelters." Allert notes that his office generally seeks to open a dialogue with residents in neighborhoods where a new shelter is to open when officials invited residents to a public informational meeting led by district mayor Stefan Komoss less than a month before the shelter's scheduled opening was hastily organized and poorly planned -- and was quickly taken over by right-wing voices Chants of "Nein zum Heim!" (No to the shelter) echoed from the surrounding concrete block apartment buildings and the NPD made it clear that it would fight the refugee home Local residents voiced concerns over rising criminality and worries that newcomers would receive greater benefits than locals "There is sometimes no time to talk with people in the neighborhood," admits Allert "That creates dissatisfaction among the residents are not the only serious problems that authorities now have to contend with As Germany's infrastructure for taking in refugees buckles under the influx its asylum policy is also coming under criticism the right to asylum is extended to all those who are "politically persecuted" in their country of origin the applicant receives a temporary residence permit for three years which can then be converted into permanent residency The problem is that the vast majority of asylum seekers in Germany get caught up in a kind of limbo They initially arrive at one of 19 reception centers throughout the country it takes an average of about eight months for a decision to come down on an asylum application But stories are plentiful of applicants waiting for much longer Some say they have heard nothing for years "The long delay is unacceptable," says Bernd Ladwig an expert on human rights and migration at the Berlin-based Otto Suhr Institute of Political Science "Very often these people remain in an intermediate position regarding their status for an extended period of time and in the interim they do not have any kind of clearly defined then they absolutely should have more rights extended to them." several asylum seekers living in a facility in Eisenhüttenstadt the main communal housing center for the state of Brandenburg went on a hunger strike to protest conditions there compulsory residence is unique among European countries," says Ladwig You can't conclusively show that this is a necessary restriction to fulfill the right to asylum I've not seen any effort to justify this restriction." Another problem is that, while asylum seekers are given a moderate monthly allowance for "personal daily necessities" and are technically allowed to work, they are forbidden from earning more than €1  ($1.32) per hour special permission must be granted for access to legal counsel and if an asylum seeker leaves his shelter or area of compulsory residence is that asylum seekers wind up isolated and often -- as with the new housing facility in Hellersdorf -- antagonized "The work restrictions should be relaxed and they should be given freedom of movement I see no compelling reason to concentrate the refugees into these compulsory residence camps." "The solution is normalization," agrees refugee activist Turgay Ulu Ulu and some 200 other asylum seekers broke their compulsory residence requirement and marched 600 kilometers (373 miles) from the Bavarian town of Würzburg to Berlin In addition to the protest camp on Oranienplatz and their occupation of a nearby school Eisenhüttenstadt and Duisburg and have organized numerous marches and demonstrations calling for an end to compulsory residence forced communal housing and the employment ban most visible protests by asylum seekers in Europe to date The protest camp at Oranienplatz includes a makeshift school a kitchen tent and a large round circus tent that serves as the main hangout Banners bearing slogans like "No Person Is Illegal," "Repeal Compulsory Residence" and "Lampedusa Village" -- a reference to the Italian island in the Mediterranean where many African refugees land -- hang throughout the camp With financial support from local charities and leftist groups Far-right groups have staged counter-protests The stabbing in June of a Sudanese camp resident by a young man yelling racist insults escalated into a confrontation involving more than 200 police officers Allert is quick to note that public sentiment in 2013 is generally more welcoming The protests in Hellersdorf this summer have taken him and many others by surprise "We recently opened a facility in (the Berlin neighborhood of) Stieglitz and we didn't have sufficient time to notify the neighbors there either," he says And the NPD has struggled to attract votes in recent years The asylum home in Hellersdorf has provided the extremist party with the perfect opportunity to mobilize -- and foment -- concerns The man responsible for running the NPD campaign in Berlin is Sebastian Schmidtke a 28-year-old who is classified as an active neo-Nazi by Germany's domestic intelligence agency the Office for the Protection of the Constitution But he is also an experienced political operative by virtue of his role as head of the Berlin city-state NPD chapter At a recent meeting with a journalist at a café in the center of Berlin polite and neatly clad in black jeans and a black button-down shirt Even his message of intolerance was nicely wrapped in gentle carefully calibrated so that the neighboring table wouldn't hear here come the foreigners and they get the same benefits as we do Our children have no youth facilities and have to more or less play in the concrete jungle Other people are given money even though they don't belong here," he says "We have almost €2 trillion in national debt eventually we have to think about our national interests." He makes sure to place the campaign brochures he brought along -- "Live Safely: Stop the Asylum Flood" -- face down so as not to attract unwanted attention Yet Schmidtke is anything but passive when it comes to pursuing his vision of nationalism he has organized several anti-asylum rallies in front of refugee shelters around the city he and his followers have been hanging xenophobic campaign posters up in front of the Hellersdorf facility he attacked a counter-demonstrator with an umbrella He also promises that more anti-asylum rallies are to come "We will definitely be going back to the asylum homes to establish contact with the neighboring residents," Schmidtke says is taking a closer look at what went wrong in Hellersdorf One thing he pinpoints is that the meeting on July 9 was open to all comers practically an invitation to the NPD to hijack it informational gatherings in neighborhoods will only be open to those who live in the immediate vicinity He also notes that asylum facilities in Berlin often host events with locals where people bring toys for the children or warm clothes in the winter "This is done not because we as a state don't make enough resources available," he says "It is done to create contact -- to reduce fear and barriers." thinks the housing system itself is largely at fault "When they concentrate refugees in these collective facilities often without properly consulting the people who live there it makes it easier for right-wing activists to mobilize against them People get the impression that there are these huge numbers of foreign people with their foreign habits and appearances moving into their neighborhood And of course some of the resentments articulated are shared by mainstream people who are not right-wing extremists but do share some xenophobic tendencies." But with the pressure on to rapidly expand the numbers of asylum homes in Berlin Allert also noted that his first priority is to house the newcomers "We don't carry out a survey and if the residents say yes "Sometimes we have no other choice than to simply take a building and say: 'Okay Germany has seen a significant increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country over the last 12 months The opening of this new shelter in the Berlin district of Marzahn-Hellersdorf has triggered protests among neighbors who have also been joined by right-wing extremists Asylum seekers in Germany have long been trying to call attention to the system's inadequacies including a requirement that they not leave the town where they are housed and prohibitions against working including a hunger strike among refugees in Munich this summer several groups of refugees and their supporters staged marches across Germany last fall a group walks through the village of Petzow near Potsdam on their way to Berlin The right-wing extremist National Democratic Party of Germany has sought to capitalize on concerns in the Hellersdorf neighborhood of Berlin over the new home for asylum seekers which opened there earlier this month With the general election less than a month away the NPD has made its anti-refugee stance the centerpiece of its campaign The far-right demonstrators in Hellersdorf have been consistently outnumbered by counter-demonstrations shouting down the neo-Nazis and welcoming the refugees The scenes from eastern Berlin have nevertheless been disturbing many refugees reportedly left the home soon after moving in because they feared their own safety NPD functionary Maria Fank at a right-wing rally in Hellersdorf in Berlin 10 days ago The party is trying to foment xenophobia by protesting the asylum shelter that recently opened there who is the head of the NPD in the city-state of Berlin our children have no youth facilities and have to more or less play in the concrete jungle Other people are given money even though they don't belong here." asylum seekers marching in protest at housing conditions in Bavaria in August refugees have to wait up to a year or even longer before hearing is conducted to determine if they will be granted asylum or not The requirement to remain in the camps where they have been assigned is one of the most common complaints compulsory residence is unique among European countries," says Bernd Ladwig Asylum seekers at a provisional shelter in the eastern German town of Eisenhüttenstadt several of those housed at this facility went on hunger strike to protest conditions there Two women in headscarves passing a right-wing extremist demonstration in Berlin last fall The extremists were protesting a different asylum seeker camp in Berlin including a hunger strike among refugees in Munich this summer.