Young people's choice in Germany: The 'racist' party: Why is the new generation 'far-right'?

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

Support for far-right figures among young voters is increasing in many European countries. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party became the party with the most support from young voters by a wide margin in the Brandenburg state election held in the country's east on September 22. The party, which is characterized as 'far-right', received 30 percent of the vote among young people, surpassing its closest rival, the SPD, which received 21 percent of the vote from voters under the age of 30.

The AfD achieved a landslide victory in the Thuringia state elections held earlier this month, receiving 32.8% of the vote and leaving the second-place Christian Democrats behind with 23.6%.

The far-right had won a state election for the first time since the end of World War II in 1945.

According to Ben Ansell, a professor at Oxford University and host of the 'What's Wrong with Democracy?' podcast, 'More than a third of young people, almost 40% of those between 18-29,' voted for the AfD in Thuringia.

In contrast, only 1 in 5 voters over the age of 70 chose the AfD.

Commenting on the situation, Ansell stated, '(Other parties) probably thought the AfD was just a party for the elderly and that young people would not vote for the AfD. This was definitely a surprise.'

Regarding why the AfD is the choice of young people, the Oxford professor shared the view, 'What is driving the popularity of the far-right among young people? Migration appears to be a significant factor.'

The party hoped that young voters would carry them to victory in the upcoming Brandenburg state elections.

In Brandenburg, the AfD repeated the success it showed in previous elections and became the party that received the most votes from young voters.

However, this was not enough for the AfD to win the election. The AfD received 29 percent of the vote, remaining behind the SPD, which reached a vote share of 32 percent.

The table shows which party received what percentage of support from young voters. According to the table, the AfD received 30 percent of the vote from voters under 30 in the Brandenburg elections. Its closest rival, the SPD, remained at 21 percent (Source: ZDF)

THEIR SLOGAN IS 'GERMANY FOR GERMANS'

In recent weeks, young AfD voters were filmed chanting the racist 'Germany for Germans' song and similar chants in unison at rallies and meetings.

While the footage caused an outcry in German public opinion, the party once again denied the allegations of racism.

It was also reflected in the German media that young AfD voters chanted slogans such as 'refugees out' at rallies.

The trend among young voters is not limited to Germany. In the European elections in June, France's far-right National Rally party became the most popular party among people aged 18-34 with a 32% vote share; this rate is much higher than that of voters over 65.

Anti-immigration AfD rally in the state of Saxony

News Source: 12punto