German Town’s Migrant Bet Shows Limits As AfD Support Climbs

Altena, a small industrial town in western Germany, took in 100 more migrants than its federal quota in 2015 to revive a shrinking population and economy. Volunteers and local programs helped many newcomers settle and find work, but others left for bigger cities or faced language and job hurdles that raised welfare costs. Frustration over living costs and strained services has boosted support for the anti-immigration AfD even as town finances improved for other reasons. The population continued to decline, underscoring that migration alone was not a panacea.