Why do immigrants support an anti-immigrant party? Russian-Germans and the Alternative for Germany

By reaching a vote share of 12.6 percent in the 2017 federal election, Alternative for Germany (AfD) ended Germany’s rare status as Western European polity lacking significant Populist Radical Right Party (PRRP). Some this support comes from group not usually expected to PRRPs: immigrant-origin voters. Recent survey data shows high levels AfD especially within Russian-Germans – immigrants former Soviet Union and its successor states. What motivates these voters an anti-immigrant party? This article argues that besides immigration-related preferences can be best explained by their assimilation or incorporation different domains regarding mainstream German society. Especially low economic social integration, particular strong ethnic identity, relate positively favouring radical right.