٠٠:٠٣:١٤Voters in Potsdam discussed the impact of migration, the Ukraine conflict and the economy - as well as Chancellor Olaf Scholz's own style of politics - on the local election results in Brandenburg on Monday.
The anti-immigration, anti-Ukraine war Alternative for Germany party (AfD) experienced a huge surge and nearly overtook Scholz's own SPD party in the region.
"I'm… East German. We were… brought up a little differently," said one voter, attempting to rationalise the rise. "We also grew up with the Soviet Union. And I think we also have a different attitude towards peace…After more than two and a half years [of Russia-Ukraine conflict], we finally have to find a way to sit down at a table and just try to negotiate."
Most opinion polling put the AfD narrowly ahead, although initial figures following the close of polls had SPD in the lead on 30.9 percent, with AfD a close second on 29.2 percent.
"I do think that the people need to talk about peace policy again," added a second voter. "They miss that at the federal politics in general. Migration was certainly also an issue, a key topic. And I think the federal government also needs to listen more to the people in the country."
The AfD had campaigned for tougher restrictions on immigration and peace in Ukraine, as well as a halt to further arms supplies to Kiev. Ahead of the voting, Scholz announced an immigration 'crackdown' with tough border controls - which some EU leaders called the 'end of Schengen'. He also repeatedly ruled out joining discussions with the UK and US about allowing Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes on Russia, which domestic critics claimed was an attempt to win back votes.
"The main question is not only the migration, but for me it also means the economy," said a third voter. "And the economy means for me… it simply doesn't work. The automotive industry is being destroyed. Others are being destroyed. You (the government) should consider whether you use green electricity in the way you want to use it, or whether to slow it (the rollout) down a little."
Some even believed Scholz himself would benefit from a little more passion in his politics.
"He should actually bang on the table with his fist bang on the table like [Soviet leader Nikita] Khrushchev used to do. He took off his shoe, if you like, you might remember, you hit it (the table) with your shoe," said another, referring to the time the leader allegedly pounded a table during a meeting of the UN General Assembly.
"In my opinion, it is actually perhaps also from the mentality, also from his north German mentality. He (Scholz) is very reserved… He is not forceful enough. And he can't stand up to his coalition partners," he added.
Following the initial result, Scholz said the mood of his party was 'good' while his team said he was 'thoroughly satisfied' with the narrow win. Jorg Urban, AfD party leader in neighbouring Saxony where the party came second earlier this month, claimed that 'other parties were starting to adopt our demands' during the campaign.
Scholz needs to be more like Khrushchev… show a bit of passion! - Migration, Ukraine and economic woes blamed as huge AfD surge runs chancellor's SPD close in Brandenburg
Voters in Potsdam discussed the impact of migration, the Ukraine conflict and the economy - as well as Chancellor Olaf Scholz's own style of politics - on the local election results in Brandenburg on Monday.
The anti-immigration, anti-Ukraine war Alternative for Germany party (AfD) experienced a huge surge and nearly overtook Scholz's own SPD party in the region.
"I'm… East German. We were… brought up a little differently," said one voter, attempting to rationalise the rise. "We also grew up with the Soviet Union. And I think we also have a different attitude towards peace…After more than two and a half years [of Russia-Ukraine conflict], we finally have to find a way to sit down at a table and just try to negotiate."
Most opinion polling put the AfD narrowly ahead, although initial figures following the close of polls had SPD in the lead on 30.9 percent, with AfD a close second on 29.2 percent.
"I do think that the people need to talk about peace policy again," added a second voter. "They miss that at the federal politics in general. Migration was certainly also an issue, a key topic. And I think the federal government also needs to listen more to the people in the country."
The AfD had campaigned for tougher restrictions on immigration and peace in Ukraine, as well as a halt to further arms supplies to Kiev. Ahead of the voting, Scholz announced an immigration 'crackdown' with tough border controls - which some EU leaders called the 'end of Schengen'. He also repeatedly ruled out joining discussions with the UK and US about allowing Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes on Russia, which domestic critics claimed was an attempt to win back votes.
"The main question is not only the migration, but for me it also means the economy," said a third voter. "And the economy means for me… it simply doesn't work. The automotive industry is being destroyed. Others are being destroyed. You (the government) should consider whether you use green electricity in the way you want to use it, or whether to slow it (the rollout) down a little."
Some even believed Scholz himself would benefit from a little more passion in his politics.
"He should actually bang on the table with his fist bang on the table like [Soviet leader Nikita] Khrushchev used to do. He took off his shoe, if you like, you might remember, you hit it (the table) with your shoe," said another, referring to the time the leader allegedly pounded a table during a meeting of the UN General Assembly.
"In my opinion, it is actually perhaps also from the mentality, also from his north German mentality. He (Scholz) is very reserved… He is not forceful enough. And he can't stand up to his coalition partners," he added.
Following the initial result, Scholz said the mood of his party was 'good' while his team said he was 'thoroughly satisfied' with the narrow win. Jorg Urban, AfD party leader in neighbouring Saxony where the party came second earlier this month, claimed that 'other parties were starting to adopt our demands' during the campaign.
Voters in Potsdam discussed the impact of migration, the Ukraine conflict and the economy - as well as Chancellor Olaf Scholz's own style of politics - on the local election results in Brandenburg on Monday.
The anti-immigration, anti-Ukraine war Alternative for Germany party (AfD) experienced a huge surge and nearly overtook Scholz's own SPD party in the region.
"I'm… East German. We were… brought up a little differently," said one voter, attempting to rationalise the rise. "We also grew up with the Soviet Union. And I think we also have a different attitude towards peace…After more than two and a half years [of Russia-Ukraine conflict], we finally have to find a way to sit down at a table and just try to negotiate."
Most opinion polling put the AfD narrowly ahead, although initial figures following the close of polls had SPD in the lead on 30.9 percent, with AfD a close second on 29.2 percent.
"I do think that the people need to talk about peace policy again," added a second voter. "They miss that at the federal politics in general. Migration was certainly also an issue, a key topic. And I think the federal government also needs to listen more to the people in the country."
The AfD had campaigned for tougher restrictions on immigration and peace in Ukraine, as well as a halt to further arms supplies to Kiev. Ahead of the voting, Scholz announced an immigration 'crackdown' with tough border controls - which some EU leaders called the 'end of Schengen'. He also repeatedly ruled out joining discussions with the UK and US about allowing Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes on Russia, which domestic critics claimed was an attempt to win back votes.
"The main question is not only the migration, but for me it also means the economy," said a third voter. "And the economy means for me… it simply doesn't work. The automotive industry is being destroyed. Others are being destroyed. You (the government) should consider whether you use green electricity in the way you want to use it, or whether to slow it (the rollout) down a little."
Some even believed Scholz himself would benefit from a little more passion in his politics.
"He should actually bang on the table with his fist bang on the table like [Soviet leader Nikita] Khrushchev used to do. He took off his shoe, if you like, you might remember, you hit it (the table) with your shoe," said another, referring to the time the leader allegedly pounded a table during a meeting of the UN General Assembly.
"In my opinion, it is actually perhaps also from the mentality, also from his north German mentality. He (Scholz) is very reserved… He is not forceful enough. And he can't stand up to his coalition partners," he added.
Following the initial result, Scholz said the mood of his party was 'good' while his team said he was 'thoroughly satisfied' with the narrow win. Jorg Urban, AfD party leader in neighbouring Saxony where the party came second earlier this month, claimed that 'other parties were starting to adopt our demands' during the campaign.