An anti-immigrant party in Germany could get more votes than previously expected at state polls Sunday.

About one and one-third million voters are eligible to elect a new regional parliament in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, which is also home to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s constituency.

The Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) is believed to be attracting voters increasingly unhappy with Merkel’s open-door refugee policy.

Germany has expanded its refugee program that has welcomed tens of thousands of Syrians and other migrants where their lives are in danger from war and terrorism.

According to reports, AfD has campaigned heavily against Merkel’s refugee program and is expected to get strong support at the polls.

“I am voting AfD. The mains reason is the question over asylum-seekers. A million refugees have come here. There is money for them, but no money to bring pensions in the east to the same levels as those of the west,” a pensioner and former teacher, who asked to not be named, told the French news agency.

Frieder Weinhold, a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) candidate, acknowledged the “migration policy has sparked a feeling of insecurity among the people.” The northeastern state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, however—under the quota system based on states’ income—took in only 25,000 asylum seekers last year. Most people, Weinhold said, prefer to move to places where there are jobs, people and shops.

Polls indicate CDU is expected to receive 22 percent of votes, while AfD is just ahead with 23 percent. The Social Democrats (SDP) are anticipated to garner 28 percent at the elections.

Merkel, who is considering a bid for a fourth term as chancellor, has warned voters against the rhetoric politics offered by AfD with its anti-refugee sentiment.  She urged constituents to look beyond divisive campaign slogans.

She told broadcaster NDR that more people voting could mean a lower percentage won by some parties that in her view have “no solutions for problems and which are built mainly around a protest—often with hate.

“Every vote counts. This election is about the future of this state,” Merkel said.

Merkel wants a quota system for the 28-member European Union to accept would-be immigrants.

Several EU members, particularly those in the east with pro-nationalist leaders, oppose any plans to take in migrants from the Middle East and South Asia, while others oppose quotas.
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