A gathering of young German conservatives in northern Germany highlights their support for right-wing candidate Friedrich Merz and criticism of the Green Party’s climate policies. Attendees express a shift in voting preferences among youth, with increasing support for the CDU over the Greens and AfD. Generational divides in political views emerge, particularly regarding migration and historical perspectives. Conservatives aim to engage younger voters through social media, while some attendees remain undecided between parties.
Young Conservatives Rally for Change
The atmosphere is lively at a gathering of young German conservatives in northern Germany, where a speaker’s critique of the Green Party’s climate initiatives ignites enthusiastic applause from a crowd of attendees, all under the age of 30. Among this vibrant group is 25-year-old Niels Kohlhaase, an executive in the construction sector. He emphasizes the urgent need to rejuvenate the German economy, which has struggled with recession for the past two years. The anticipated success of right-wing candidate Friedrich Merz in the upcoming legislative election fills him with optimism. As a former corporate lawyer with ties to the American asset management giant BlackRock, Merz is seen as someone who can utilize his connections in the U.S. to benefit Germany once he assumes office.
During the event, hosted at a bar in Rotenburg by the youth wing of the Christian Democrats (CDU), the audience strongly resonates with criticism aimed at environmentalists who oppose the revival of nuclear energy. Interestingly, the Greens, who had previously gained popularity among younger voters in the last legislative elections, now find themselves in a different position. In the 2021 election, they were the top choice for 18-24-year-olds, bolstered by the climate activism movement, Fridays for Future. However, recent polling indicates a shift in preference, with 16-24-year-olds now showing support for the conservative party, leading both their demographic and the general voting population ahead of the far-right AfD party.
Generational Perspectives and Political Divisions
Rüdiger Maas, president of a generational research institute, sheds light on the differing views of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), noting, “The climate movement entails sacrificing a lot, and this generation has not been accustomed to such trade-offs.” He also highlights a distinct perspective on World War II among younger individuals, who do not carry the same historical burdens as their elders. This division in political preferences is notably marked by geography; young voters in eastern Germany tend to lean towards the AfD, while those in the west favor conservative candidates. This divide reflects the historical context of the former East and West Germany, compounded by the societal changes that followed the migration influx of 2015-2016 and the recent refugee crisis due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Recent electoral trends reveal a growing support for the AfD among 18-24-year-olds in eastern regions, as shown by data from the infratest dimap institute. Josh Heitmann, a 21-year-old farmer’s son, believes that a balanced migration policy is essential to countering the AfD’s influence, stating, “We can only hope to reduce their support with a reasonable approach to asylum rights, as advocated by Friedrich Merz.”
Recognizing the importance of social media in engaging under-30 voters, conservatives are ramping up their online presence. MP Philipp Amthor, aged 32, has been appointed to spearhead a project focused on content creation for platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Research indicates that the AfD has established a notable presence on TikTok compared to other political parties. Nina Weise, a 24-year-old social media strategist for the CDU, emphasizes the need to navigate misinformation carefully, particularly that which originates from far-right sources, to prevent its spread. “Democratic parties face challenges on TikTok as the algorithm often prioritizes extremist content,” she notes.
Amthor insists on maintaining a serious political tone in their content, although he acknowledges the value of humor. In one creative campaign, he filmed a segment with his torso in a cast to encourage mail-in voting. For attendees like Niels Kohlhaase, these initiatives resonate effectively: “For the first time, CDU posts truly connect with me,” he shares. However, not everyone is convinced; Cleo Heitmann, 19, who joined her brother at the event, admits she is torn between the CDU and the Social Democrats and plans to make her final decision in the voting booth.