Why did the Alternative for Germany gain support in the 2016 regional elections?

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained significant support in the 2016 regional elections primarily by shifting its focus from Euroskepticism to an explicitly anti-immigration and populist platform.

During the 2015 European migrant crisis, more than one million refugees entered Germany. While Chancellor Angela Merkel maintained an open-door policy to provide humanitarian aid to those fleeing conflicts in countries such as Syria and Afghanistan, the AfD characterized this influx as an "invasion." By adopting this stance, the party successfully capitalized on rising xenophobic and populist attitudes among voters who were dissatisfied with the government's migration policies.123

Furthermore, the party’s rhetoric became increasingly Islamophobic during this period. In 2016, the AfD called for bans on various Islamic symbols and practices, including minarets and full-body veils, which helped the party consolidate a base of support among those who felt alienated by the changing demographic landscape and the perceived moderation of the center-right Christian Democratic Union under Merkel’s leadership.13