How is immigration impacting Germany's election campaign?

Immigration policy has become a dominant force in Germany's election campaign, with calls for tougher measures coming not just from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party but increasingly from mainstream politicians as well. The AfD appears to be benefiting most from this political shift according to polls, capitalizing on public concerns about immigration control. This trend has prompted questions about how long the political 'firewall' against working with the far right will remain intact. The growing prominence of immigration as a campaign issue reflects broader tensions about national identity and border security in German politics.