The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has seen remarkable growth, especially among young voters in the eastern German states. This was highlighted in the recent elections in Saxony, Brandenburg and Thuringia, where the AfD dominated the youth vote, a sign of a growing desire for political change. As disillusionment with traditional parties grows, young Germans are turning to the AfD as a voice of reason and resistance to the failures of the political elite.
A Call for Change
In the 2024 state elections the AfD took the podium with great confidence, marking clear support from the citizens especially in the former east Germany states where anger towards political groups is high. While previously older voters formed the core support for the party, the young voters base is now growing. In Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg, among voters below the age of 30, the AfD either topped all other parties or was a close second.
Some critics consider this upsurge as neither fortuitous nor ill-timed. It is a clear reaction against the traditional parties, such as the CDU, SPD and the Greens, which have consistently underperformed in the eyes of young people.
Why Young Germans Are Turning to the AfD
- Economic Hardship and Insecurity
Young people from eastern Germany exhibit higher unemployment rate, lower wages, and a lack of new job opportunities while the picture in the west is different. As in many post-communist societies, people felt left behind by the post-1989 Berlin coalition in the face of economic crises, changing the social structure, increasing rents, and inflation. The AfD’S proposition is simple – Germany first: local employment before outsourcing work. In respect of such voters, the position of the AfD is such that it seeks to correct the economic blunder that has been made by many of the ruling parties.
- Disillusionment with the Establishment
However, young voters no longer trust the allegations put forward by older parties and do not hesitate to deem them corrupt. It does not matter whether it is the CDU’s Euro fiddle or the SPD’s structural deficiencies in dealing with internal issues – mediocrity is the only word to describe the general state of politics of late. Being the anti-establishment party that it is, the AfD’s message of straightforwardness resonates well with a youth demographic that is fed up with evading the sentiments. They consider the party as the only political formations that are prepared to defend the interests of the people of Germany.
- Cultural Identity and Immigration
For young AfD voters, one of the party’s more alluring aspects includes its appeal to the defence of German identity. Change in the population due to mass influx of immigrants has left a number of Germans, for example those in the east dissatisfied in self-identity. The youth, who consider their values and way of life threatened, also connect to the AfD’s reactionary stance on the issue of mass immigration and the campaign for Germanisation. For these nationalists, tolerance or more accurately multiculturalism, which is embraced dearly by most parties in power is considered a menace to both unity and sanity.
- Social Media Savvy
Apart from clear party messages in traditional media, the AfD has recorded success in pulling younger audiences through YouTube and Instagram which was one of the positive trends for the party. The AfD frames itself in such a manner – the youth, bright and rebellious versus the flesh and dull politics. This is how the schism is bridging the gap where the youth is won over particularly the AfD who appears vividly bold and genuine.
What This Means for Germany in the Future
Within German politics, the increase of the AfD among young people is a game changer. Since mainstream parties are unable to convince these voters on fundamental issues, such as economic stability, national identity, and patriotism, the desire to break away from the political elite has been co-opted by a change-seeking AfD party. The party’s gains in Saxony, Brandenburg and Thuringia signal the onset of a deeper political transformation, where going forward, more young people will be viewing the AfD as offering the future of German politics.
all images were taken from Wikimedia Commons
