German Election reveals deep youth polarisation as CDU/CSU takes fragile lead

According to Die Zeit, 27% of first-time voters backed Die Linke, while 21% supported the AfD. This marks a sharp departure from past elections, where the Greens and Social Democrats (SPD) traditionally enjoyed strong youth support.

Die Linke’s unexpected success has been largely credited to its co-leader, Heidi Reichinnek, who harnessed TikTok and other social media platforms to engage with young voters. The party’s digital outreach strategy proved pivotal in mobilising support, with Reichinnek now being hailed as a leftist youth icon.

On the opposite end, the AfD’s growing appeal among young Germans reflects a broader ideological shift. Compared to the 2021 election, the AfD saw a staggering 14% increase in youth support. Political researcher Simon Schnetzer told Die Zeit, “Many young AfD voters do not see themselves as extreme right-wing, but rather as part of the conservative centre.” The party’s success underscores the rising influence of nationalist rhetoric among segments of the younger population, driven by concerns over immigration and national identity.