Young people are voting right-wing. That was the message from many headlines after the European elections at the weekend. In fact, many young people’s votes went to the Rassemblement National in France and to the AfD in Germany. Political scientist Gero Neugebauer also sees young people voting against the establishment. At the same time, he puts the AfD’s gains into perspective.
SRF News: Five years ago, people spoke of “climate youth” and the Greens as their most popular party. What label would you give young voters today?
Gero Neugebauer: Today I would describe them more as an irritated youth who are voting haphazardly. They have not only withdrawn votes from the Greens, but they have also voted for small parties and the AfD, much to the surprise of the major parties.
The CDU/CSU is in first place among young people, followed by the AfD and many small parties. Government parties were hardly elected. Can we speak of an election against the establishment?
You can. The overall result is determined by the individual results of the Greens. The SPD’s gain of one percent is meaningless. There are various reasons for this: dissatisfaction with economic development, but also with the coalition’s stance on the issue of peacekeeping. In addition, there are open questions about the party’s own future. Only then comes the climate.
So we cannot simply speak of “the youth” who voted right-wing?
That would actually be too general. We are reminded of the images of people in this age group recently drinking champagne and happily singing songs about “Germany for the Germans”. Other young people made it clear in television interviews that they did not want to vote, that they were dissatisfied with their social situation and that their interests were not reflected in the programs of the coalition parties. Among them were the Greens, who are in favor of a pension policy that shifts the burden to the future and relativizes their climate policy.
In particular, those young people with an uncertain future in terms of training and employment no longer took part.
In particular, young people with an uncertain future in terms of training and jobs are no longer participating. They are switching to the CDU, which promises competence in economic and security issues. Or to the AfD, which is in opposition and at least does not promise the same level of security as the governing parties pretend.
Legend:
In the European elections this weekend, 16 and 17 year olds were allowed to vote for the first time in Germany. It was assumed that the AfD would benefit most from this. Until now, the more restrictive voting rights only applied in Greece, Austria, Belgium and Malta.
Imago/Pic One/BenKriemann
What kind of young people are these, those 16 percent of 16 to 24 year olds in Germany who voted for the AfD?
It is more common for young people in the eastern German states. Often young people who have been socialized to be suspicious of the state. Those who have experienced how their parents were unable to fulfill their wishes after reunification and feel disappointed in their own expectations. There are significantly more male young people with little formal education who are stuck in the villages, living off welfare, their grandmother or the occasional illegal job. The situation is different for young women, who are increasingly going to work in the old federal states, Austria or Switzerland.
In this respect, the AfD’s gains are not necessarily guaranteed for the future.
So many young people vote based on their current life situation and are less committed to a particular party?
That’s how I would put it. This is also shown by the results of the smallest parties, which often come up with solutions that are in the direct personal interest of young people, such as animal welfare or certain climate measures. In this respect, the AfD’s gains are not necessarily guaranteed for the future.
The interview was conducted by Brigitte Kramer.