Germany's Gen Z shift: rightward trend in upcoming elections

As Germany prepares to vote this Sunday, there's a notable shift among Gen Z voters who are leaning more towards right-wing parties. Until recently, in 2021, young Germans were largely supportive of environmental and social justice causes, but significant changes over the past few years have altered this outlook.

The ongoing war in Ukraine, rising migration, and a struggling economy are key factors driving this shift in perspective among young voters.

In Germany's right-of-centre political sphere, there are moderates or conservatives aligned with the CDU/CSU, the current second-largest party, and the far-right AfD, which is gaining traction in eastern Germany.

The CDU/CSU has redirected its focus towards pressing national issues like immigration and the economy, while more moderate parties continue to emphasize climate and welfare policies.

Unlike older generations who are more loyal to political parties, Germany's Gen Z voters display greater flexibility, keenly assessing what aligns with their immediate needs. The Green Party, which led among 18-24 year-olds in the 2021 elections amid the height of the Fridays for Future movement, has since lost support due to backlash against the very policies they championed—green energy transition and multiculturalism.

Across Europe, a rightward drift is evident, with immigration emerging as a dominant issue—a challenge for left-leaning parties committed to liberal ideologies. In last year's European elections, the CDU/CSU was the most popular choice among young Germans, followed by the far-right AfD.

With only days to the election, surveys indicate a notable rightward trend among Germany's Gen Z electorate. This generation, born between 1997 and 2012, is encountering the ballot box for the first time, with many analysts suggesting their lack of connection to World War II and its aftermath reduces their apprehension towards the far-right AfD.

While the CDU/CSU maintains its stronghold in western Germany, the AfD has made considerable inroads in the east. During last year's three eastern regional elections, the AfD saw significant gains among 18-24 year-olds, often at the Green Party's expense, per a study by polling institute infratest dimap.

Social media, notably TikTok, has played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of the German elections, impacting the ideologies of young Germans. Both the far-right AfD and the far-left Die Linke have effectively utilized these platforms, though this has led to greater polarization within Germany.

Recent opinion polls indicate that approximately 30 percent of German voters across all age groups remain undecided about this week's election, a voter demographic that could be pivotal in determining the election's outcome.