By Oliver Towfigh Nia
BERLIN (AA) – A leading German migrant organization expressed deep concern over far-right parties' victory in the European election, saying it would fuel even more racism in society.
“The fear of a further increase in racist and antisemitic attacks in Germany is extremely great in our communities,” said Karim El-Helaifi, the head of a group called "New German organizations," in a statement.
“We see a further normalization of right-wing sentiment,” said El-Helaifi, whose network includes nearly 200 clubs and organizations across the country that campaign against societal divisions.
Chancellor Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and coalition partners suffered heavy losses in Sunday's European Parliament elections, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) increased its vote share and finished second with 16%.
The rise of the AfD party has raised concerns in Germany about the future of the country's democracy.
The AfD's secret plans for the mass expulsion of irregular immigrants, disclosed in late February, have heightened concerns in Germany.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets after the revelations to protest the AfD, calling on politicians to take a stronger stance against the xenophobic and racist propaganda of right-wing extremists.