(ANSA) - BERLINO, SEP 20 - The AfD's surge shows no signs of slowing in Germany: the far right is racking up votes in Mecklenburg but is also gaining ground in Berlin, especially among those who are fearful of the future and the skyrocketing cost of living—and who are angry and disappointed with Chancellor Merz's policies. In the capital, voters are often middle-aged or elderly; they are afraid of losing their economic status and want to send a message of resistance, of a break with the past. And it is in East Berlin that the far right is making inroads, attracting many disillusioned former CDU voters who are punishing the government for exceeding the debt ceiling or for its handling of urban public order. In Berlin, the AfD attracts voters who are angry with federal politics and with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, seen as the embodiment of the establishment: Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla's team is gaining support in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods, particularly Marzhan-Hellersdorf—located in the eastern part of the city—where economic hardship is widespread and anger and urban decay are directed at the seats of power. Germany, no longer the engine of Europe, is no longer growing as it once did, and in this context, the AfD—with its pro-Russian rhetoric—is managing to win over those who are concerned about the war in Ukraine and do not want Germany to support Kyiv financially or militarily. The far-right narrative also appeals to those disillusioned with migration policy, as it singles out immigrants as the "enemy" who should be sent back to their countries of origin because they place an excessive burden on the nation. In the capital, the issues most important to those who voted for the AfD were fighting crime and creating jobs. In Mecklenburg, the AfD is making significant gains in rural, outlying, and isolated areas, as well as among voters who prioritized social security and public order when casting their ballots—and among those who feel abandoned by federal-level politics. In this state, the typical far-right voter is predominantly male and between the ages of 25 and 59. Alice Weidel's party appeals to the working class and the self-employed in small towns, far from the Baltic Sea tourist destinations. Furthermore—according to initial analyses of the vote after polls closed—the voter base is dominated by citizens with a low-to-medium level of education, blue-collar workers, artisans, and small business owners. More than ideological considerations, voters are driven by economic frustration and a widespread perception of insecurity. The rising cost of living, high energy prices, and the handling of the ecological transition are compounded by strong opposition to immigration policies. (ANSA).